Brian Jay “Bernie” Schaap, 46, Lismore, died Friday, March 11, 2016, at the Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone.
A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 18, at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Burial will follow at the Leota Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 18, at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church
Bernie Schaap was born May 26, 1969, to Harold and Wylma (Lolkus) Schaap in Pipestone. Bernie was baptized as an infant at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church and made his profession of faith at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. He attended elementary school at Chandler Christian and graduated with the Chandler-Lake Wilson High School class of 1987. He then attended college at Huron University and South Dakota State University. He went on to help area farmers and then drove truck for many years. Over the last five years Bernie had his own business, Buffalo Ridge Livestock, doing dispatch, buying and selling. He was also a part owner in the Timber View custom chopping business.
On June 29, 1995, Bernie married Kari Koelewyn at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. The couple made their home in Leota, and for the past 13 years lived on Highway 91 near Lismore.
Bernie was a member of the Leota Township Board, Sons of the American Legion – Lismore Post 636, Nobles County Board of Adjustment – Planning and Zoning, and Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church. Bernie cherished time with his wife. He enjoyed his dogs, safety meetings, Ranger riding, Garage Crew gatherings, educating his family and friends, time with nieces and nephews and just going for a ride.
He is survived by his wife, Kari Schaap, Lismore; his mother, Wylma Schaap, Edgerton; two sisters, Roxine (Larry) Luinenburg, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Carla (Don) Kooiman, Brandon, South Dakota; a brother, Harlow (Anne) Schaap, Chandler; his mother-in-law, Leona Koelewyn, Edgerton; nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Schaap; his father-in-law, Frank Koelewyn; and nephews Zachary Koelewyn and Eric Schaap.
Arrangements were by Hamilton Funeral Home, Marshall, www.hamiltonfh.com.
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