Garneth Irene Van Surksum, 76, Luverne, died Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage.
A funeral service was Sunday, Jan. 27, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial was Monday, Jan. 28, at the Leota Community Cemetry.
Garneth Hulstein was born on Sept. 15, 1942, to Raymond and Della (Gritters) Hulstein on the family farm near Carmel, Iowa. She was baptized that same year at Protestant Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa. She attended Edgerton Christian Grade School in Edgerton. She was confirmed in 1959 at the Protestant Reformed Church in Edgerton.
On Feb. 5, 1960, Garneth married Harold Van Surksum at Bethel Reformed Church in Leota. The couple moved to Chino, California. Garneth cleaned houses and businesses until 1965 when they moved back to Leota where they began farming. While on the farm, Garneth was willing to help any place she was needed. In 1980 she received her GED. In the late 1980s she started working at the rest home in Worthington, and over the years she spent a great deal of her time nurturing others and offering care. In addition to her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Garneth embraced Zach and Liam Brown as part of her family and loved being their caregiver when they were young.
Garneth spent several years working retail as well, including time at Creeger’s and True Value in Luverne, and Steinmart and Gordman’s in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but her heart was repeatedly pulled back to the caregiver role.
Garneth was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne. During their time on the farm, they attended Bethel Reformed Church in Leota. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She and Harold were both RCYF sponsors for many years. Her joy was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Garneth is survived by her husband, Harold Van Surksum; four children, Gwen Van Surksum of Sioux Falls, Garvin (Becky) Van Surksum of Chandler, Rick (Jacci) Van Surksum of Bullard, Texas, and Renita (Jerod) Enninga of Luverne; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond Sr. and Della; brothers Gary and Ed Hulstein; sisters Alberta Broek and Lois Buyert; brothers-in-law Corrnie Broek, Barney Buyert, Pete Struiksma and Arvin Mesman; and sister-in-law Telena Hulstein.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.