Jim Van Santen, 67, rural Luverne, died peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, at his home surrounded by family.
A funeral service was Monday, Nov. 30, at the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Memorials may be directed to the Southwest Christian School in Edgerton or Sioux Falls Christian School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Jim Van Santen was born on July 19, 1953, to Peter and Nellie (Van Hemert) Van Santen in Hawarden, Iowa. He was baptized at Hawarden Christian Reformed Church and raised on a farm near Alcester, South Dakota. When he was six years old, the family moved to a farm near Lake Park, Iowa. Jim attended grade school at Ocheyedan Christian grade school in Ocheyedan, Iowa, and then began high school in Lake Park. In 1969 the family moved to a farm near Luverne, and Jim continued his education at Southwest Christian High School in Edgerton, graduating in 1971.
On Jan. 29, 1974, he married Marilyn Van Essen at the First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton. Following his schooling, Jim worked various jobs prior to farming full time. In 1979 he and Marilyn purchased an acreage west of Luverne where they made their home for the next 30 years. Through the years, Jim remained busy crop farming and raising livestock. In 2000 Jim’s son Jeff joined the farm operation, and in 2008 Jim semi-retired due to health He built the house where he and Marilyn were currently residing.
Jim was a hard worker throughout his entire life. In retirement he helped build their new home with Cleveringa Construction and then continued working a couple of years with them before returning to farming part time with Jason Fick. Jim enjoyed learning the new technologies of farming by watching videos on the internet and figuring things out himself.
In April 2018 Jim was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Jim was a member of the Luverne Christian Reformed Church. One of his favorite pastimes was reading. He enjoyed telling stories and making relationships with anyone he came across. He enjoyed traveling with Marilyn. Later in life, Jim spent many summer days on the pontoon. A couple of the cherished memories were spending a week at Lake Mary near Alexandria with the children and grandchildren for their 40th and 45th wedding anniversaries. Jim loved watching the grandchildren in their activities. He also enjoyed coffee with the guys at Jaycox Implement. Jim’s mischievous grin, sense of humor and funny stories will continue to warm the hearts of those who knew him.
Jim is survived by his wife, Marilyn; three children, Jeff (Alanna) Van Santen of Luverne, Melissa (Brian) Fick of Luverne, and Travis (Ronna) Van Santen of Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren, Kelsi and Aiden Van Santen, Mara, Madison and Jaelyn Fick, and Logan and Samantha Van Santen; nine siblings, Marian Schneekloth of Luverne, Marlene (John) Weinstroer of Lenexa, Kansas, Marge Briese of Hartford, South Dakota, Linda Vis of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Steve (Carla) Van Santen of Luverne, Doug (Kathy) Van Santen of Brandon, South Dakota, Carolyn (Tim) Diedrich of Luverne, Rick (Carrie) Van Santen of Luverne, and Lori (Gary) Serum of Champlin; in-laws LeAnne (Glen) Schoolmeester of Chandler, Karla (Lyle) Schiebout of Trosky, and Lloyd (Lavonne) Van Essen of Edgerton; and numerous other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Arvin Van Santen; an infant sister, Betty Jean Van Santen; a brother-in-law, Steve Schneekloth; and his mother-in-law, Laura Van Essen.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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