Hermina Van Meeteren, 92, Luverne, died peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at the Sanford Luverne Hospital.
A funeral service was Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 a.m. at the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Memory Gardens Cemetery near Luverne.
Memorials may be directed to Luke Society or Hope Haven.
Hermina Van Meeteren was born on Jan. 14, 1930, to Ralph and Henrietta (Driesen) Otten in a house near Doon, Iowa. She grew up in the Doon and Rock Rapids, Iowa, area and attended the Doon Christian School through the eighth grade. Hermina helped on the farm and with child care and household chores for new mothers in the area.
On Feb. 7, 1951, Hermina married John Van Meeteren in Doon, Iowa. John was drafted into the United States Army on Aug. 19, 1952, serving overseas during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on May 13, 1954. During this time, Hermina continued to help new mothers.
After John returned home, the couple resided near the Rock Rapids area working for various farmers. In 1955 John and Hermina moved to a dairy farm near Luverne. Here they settled into life and made their home. They farmed and operated the dairy while raising their seven children.
They formally retired in 1993 and in September of 2000, the couple moved in Luverne. John passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 13, 2000. Hermina continued living in their home until 2019, when she moved to the Oasis Care Home in Luverne.
Hermina was a member of the Luverne Christian Reformed Church where she attended Bible studies. She volunteered at Atlas and Bibles for Missions. She enjoyed working on crafts and puzzles. She loved driving out to see the farm and spending time with her family.
Hermina is survived by seven children, Darrell (Leah) Van Meeteren of Luverne, Carol Kelderman of Doon, Gloria (Vern) Brouwer of Jasper, Brenda Kuechenmeister (special friend Steve Langenfeld) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Deb (Keith) Kuechenmeister of Slayton, Marlin (Viola) Van Meeteren of Luverne, and Sharla (Jody) Reisch of Luverne; 30 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother Gerald Otten of Montclair, California; sister LaVonne Otten of Luverne; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John; son-in-law Arnold Kelderman; great-grandson Tripp Postmus; and sister-in-law Helen Otten.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com
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