Nellie Van Santen

NELLIE VAN SANTEN was born to Arend and Maria (de Waard) Van Hemert on July 24, 1927 in the Netherlands. She was baptized in August of 1927 at the Maasland Christian Reformed Church in the Netherlands. She attended eight years of grade school in Maasland. After that she went to vocational school, followed by tailor school so she could assist her father in the tailor shop. On January 26, 1949, Nellie was united in marriage to Peter Van Santen at the Maasland Christian Reformed Church. In February 1949, Nellie and Peter immigrated to America where the couple began farming near Hawarden, Iowa. When they began farming independently, they relocated to Alcester, SD, then Lake Park, IA, and finally settled on a farm near Luverne in 1969. Nellie spent her entire life as a devoted wife, and mother. In May of 2011, Nellie moved into Poplar Creek Assisted Living and transitioned to the Mary Jane Brown Nursing Home in August of 2016. On December 6, 2016, Nellie passed away surrounded by her loving family at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 89 years, 4 months, and 13 days.

Nellie recently became a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne. She was involved in the women’s ladies aid and the Christian School Circle and was involved in a women’s knitting club. Nellie loved to sew, knit, crochet, do needlework, counted cross stitch, read and sing.

Nellie’s Christian faith was very important to her and she was a light to those around her. She spent much time on her knees in prayer. Even when kneeling became difficult she always found a way to pray. She taught her children the importance of putting the Lord first in their lives. She also was a very patient person. The grandkids were intrigued by her Dutch accent. She loved them endlessly and was very thoughtful. She was an honest and sincere person and always had a smile on her face. If you ever wanted to know the truth about something, you just had to ask her. Even though she will be greatly missed, we rejoice in knowing that she is in her heavenly home.

Nellie is survived by her 10 children, Marian Schneekloth of Luverne, Marlene (John) Wienstroer of Olathe, KS, Marge Briese of Hartford, SD, Jim (Marilyn) Van Santen of Luverne, Linda Vis of Sioux Falls, SD, Steven (Carla) Van Santen of Luverne, Doug (Kathy) Van Santen of Brandon, Carolyn (Tim) Diedrich of Luverne, Rick (Carrie) Van Santen of Luverne, and Lori (Gary) Serum of Champlin, MN ; “Oma” to 34 grandchildren, Cory Schneekloth, Brian (Sheryl) Schneekloth, Wesley (Crystal) Schneekloth, Perry (KaraJo) Schneekloth, Nicole Schneekloth, Gretchen (Christopher) Luze, Sara (Jason) Knag, Megan (Chad) Anderson, Brigette (Brett) Votava, Mindy (BJ) Olson, Jeff (Alanna) Van Santen, Melissa (Brian) Fick, Travis (Ronna) Van Santen, Shawn (Karmen) Vis, Jeremy (Leann) Vis, Michael Vis, Alex (Sarah) Vis, Amy (Nick) Domagala, Shantel Van Santen, Taylor Van Santen (Hannah Swier), Shelby Van Santen, Brittney Van Santen (JJ Miller), Justin Van Santen (Sydney Taylor), Amber (Matt) Lais, Cassie (Aric) Uithoven, Mitch Diedrich, Ashley Diedrich, Joey Diedrich, Brad (Donni) Van Santen, Derek (Morgan) Van Santen, Austin Van Santen, Jacob Van Santen, Morgan Matthiesen (Tommy Youngquist), Brock Matthiesen; 42 great-grandchildren, Cassie Leibhard, Zac Schneekloth, Jordan Kruse, Brooklyn Schneekloth, Riley Schneekloth, William Schneekloth, Charley Schneekloth, Sawyer Schneekloth, Blake Schneekloth, Grace Schneekloth, Emma Schneekloth, Olivia Schneekloth, Taylor Gerard, Avery Gerard, Camden Knag, Archer Anderson, Emilia Anderson, Kaylee Olson, Karson Olson, Kelsi Van Santen, Aiden Van Santen, Mara Fick, Madison Fick, Jaelyn Fick, Logan Van Santen, Samantha Van Santen, Baily Vis, Gabriel Vis, Cullen Vis, Larkin Vis, Elliott Domagala, Mallachi Domagala, Maddux Domagala, Willow Domagala, Ethan Miller, Preston Miller, Landyn Lais, Dawsyn Lais, Addisyn Lais, Tyson Uithoven, Eden Uithoven, and Madison Van Santen; one sister, Ria (Ary) Van Hartingsveldt of Rozenberg, the Netherlands. She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter; an infant daughter, Betty Jean; a son, Arvin Jay; five brothers, John, Arend, Alex, Thom and Kees; three sisters, Jo, Nel, and Gerda; son-in-law, Steven Schneekloth; and her parents, Arend and Maria.