John Van Eck

JOHANNIS CORNELIS VAN ECK was born on November 20, 1926, to Bastiaan and Annie Van Eck. John began his life's journey in Chanarambie Township, Murray County, Minnesota. For a short period of time, as a toddler, he, along with his family, briefly resided in California. Upon returning from California the family moved to a farm southeast of Ruthton, Minnesota. John attended country school near Ruthton. On September 29, 1953, John was united in marriage to Gerdena Schelhaas at the Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they moved several times, always remaining in the Ruthton area. In 1981, John and Gerdena moved to an acreage south of Ruthton on highway 23. John enjoyed farming and continued to farm with his sons throughout his entire life. In 2009, after fully retiring, they moved to a townhome in Pipestone, Minnesota. In January of 2012, John became a resident at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton. John finished his life's journey at Edgebrook on Monday, April 7, 2014, at the age of 87 years, 4 months, and 17 days.

John was a member of the Holland Christian Reformed Church where he served as both an elder and a deacon. John enjoyed hunting and fishing, camping, vacationing, and spending his winters in Texas. You could often find him in the sun room of his home reading the Bible. His deep love for the Lord was evident in all he did. John will be remembered as a thankful, kind, and gentle man.

John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Gerdena, of Pipestone; children, Gary Van Eck of Ruthton, Larry Van Eck of Ruthton, Judy (Brad) Bowen of Pipestone, Lori (Harv) Dragstra of Edgerton, Sharon (Fritz) Morgan of Shakopee, Minnesota, and Kathy Shearer of Frisko, Texas; siblings, Corky (Mary) Van Eck of Chandler, Minnesota, Nellie Ellgen of Slayton, Minnesota, Jennie (Bob) Van Roekel of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Bud (Jan) Van Eck of Luverne, Minnesota, and Annie (Richard) Severeid of Lafayette, Colorado; 16 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his parents; one infant brother, Tony; one brother, Hugo Van Eck; and three sisters, Cornelia Bodewitz, Margaret Eisfeld, and Annetta Eisfeld.