Mary Ann Van Aartsen was born on June 27, 1939, to Oltman “Ole” and Caroline “Ann” (Richters) Akkerman on a farm northeast of Rock Rapids, Iowa. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in town. At a young age, the family moved to a farm south of Luverne, Minnesota, where she was raised. Mary Ann attended church and confirmed her faith at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. She attended country school through the eighth grade and then attended Luverne public school through the tenth grade. After her education, she continued helping her dad with the farming operation.
While attending the roller skating rink at the Lyon County fairgrounds, Mary Ann met her future husband, Gerrit Van Aartsen. The couple was united in marriage on July 2, 1956, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. They made their home in Rock Rapids for a short time and moved two and a half miles south of Luverne in 1957. Here they raised their four children. When her children were old enough, Mary Ann went to work cleaning area homes. She later started a business with Arlene Van Wyhe wall-papering, staining, varnishing and refinishing furniture, which they operated for 30 years. Mary Ann formally retired in 2010. Gerrit preceded her in death on Feb. 15, 2012.
Mary Ann was an active member of the First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids. She enjoyed sewing, mending and making quilts for all of her family, and later in life she enjoyed taking vacations with Gerrit on their motorcycle. Mary Ann was a great caregiver to many people. She also enjoyed her tradition of holding coffee at her home on Saturday morning for anyone who came, serving her banana bread made with a pinch of love. She taught her children the importance of family and being connected with each other and cherished that her children continued to live close by and stay connected with her throughout life.
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, Mary Ann died peacefully while working on a quilting project at home at the age of 86 years, four months and two days.
Mary Ann is lovingly survived by her three children, Darrel and his wife, LaDonna Van Aartsen of Luverne, Peggy and her husband, Vince Gacke of Luverne, and Kathy and her husband, Kevin Jacobsma of Luverne; a son-in-law, Randy Muller of Jasper, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren, Brent (Amanda) Van Aartsen, Jonathon (fiancée Brittany) Van Aartsen, Mark (Katelyn) Van Aartsen, Andraya (Jon) Peterson, Landon (Lauren) Gacke, Anna (Dan) Chamberlin, Ryan (Brittany) Jacobsma, Matt (Andrea) Jacobsma, Greg Muller, Daniel (Sydney) Muller, and Mitchell Muller; 19 great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Malcolm, Tanner, Allie, Jayce, Carter, Aiden, Alaina, Adalynn, Margaret, Sydnie, Sadie, Kai, Eleanor, Sofia, Aria, Mylee, Emma, and Cayden; a brother, Arnold Akkerman (friend, Sara Meier) of Motley, Minnesota; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerrit; a daughter, Bonnie Muller; and parents, Ole and Caroline Akkerman.
Funeral service was at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa.
Arrangements were under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. To view Mary Ann’s LifeTribute video or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
