John Van Engen

John Van Engen, 67, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at Sioux Center Health in Sioux Center.  

     A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the Faith Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Reverend Bob Pollema officiating.  Interment will be held prior to the service in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.  John's service will be viewable at: John Van Engen Service

Visitation will be held Friday, March 18, 2022, from 3-7PM with family present from 5-7PM at the Faith Christian Reformed Church. 

The Van Engen Family prefer memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society of Sioux County or the Heritage Village Hardware Store Project.

Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

On March 16, 2022, John Van Engen, age 67 years, 8 months, and 16 days, of Sioux Center, IA was called to his heavenly home. For 14 years, John courageously battled cancer. John was born in Sioux Center, Iowa on June 30, 1954, to Gerrit and Ruth (Oostra) Van Engen. John lived most of his life in Sioux Center, except for two years in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. John attended Sioux Center Community Schools.

John was employed by Hy-Vee Food Stores, De Ruyter Hardware Inc., the Farmer's Coop Society, Valspar Corporation, and Sherwin-Williams Paint Company. John loved to help people-whether it was a project they were working on or increasing their business. While working in Sioux Center, John had been actively involved in the Indoor Fair and in the Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce, including a term as President. John also served on the Sioux Center Hospital Board and served as the Low Rent Housing Commissioner for 32 years. When his job took him out of Sioux Center, he often marveled at the variety and vastness of God's creation. Driving the roads in the Midwest, were never boring to him. He was a professing member of the Faith Christian Reformed Church, where he has served as a deacon, elder and church school teacher.

John had a big heart and was ever faithful. He had a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, and loved to serve God by serving others. He wanted nothing more than for his family and friends to love the LORD as he did.

In 1981, John married (Elinor) Kae Evink and they were blessed with two daughters, Katie Jo and Merribeth. His love for younger children was always obvious, as many neighborhood kids knew his car contained some suckers. He maintained his love for others while his daughters were in college, and his table always welcomed their friends. Hospitality was John's gift, and he enjoyed smoking meat, serving, and sharing it with many of his guests and friends. He loved trying out new recipes and his friends were always willing to taste test. John cherished the many memories made with his friends and family over his lifetime.

John loved the spring and fall seasons-when he could plant a garden and when he could harvest the reward. He was known for trying new varieties and sharing the harvest with others. He enjoyed thirty plus years of growing pumpkins, watermelons and muskmelons with his friend Mike.

John's family brought more joy into his life than anything else he loved. John will be forever missed by his wife, Kae, who has been by his side through the last 42 years; their children, Katie and Dr. Brian VanderLey, and their children, Gerrit, Gavin and Johanna of Sutton, NE; and Merribeth and Lucas De Groot, and their daughters, Olivia, Nora and Violet of Oskaloosa, IA. He loved and cherished his children and his grandchildren. Nothing brought more joy than to see his grandchildren grow in their faith, their schooling, and their sporting events. Papa always encouraged them and treasured his time with them.

John is also survived by his siblings, Linda and Marlyn Zeutenhorst, Dr. Al and Sue Van Engen both of Sioux Center, IA and Laura and Phil Van Roekel of Ankeny, IA. He is also survived by Kae's sisters, Gloria Evink of Sheldon, IA and Pam and Jim De Windt of Jenison, MI, and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit and Ruth, his two infant brothers, John and Arlin; and his parents-in-law, Wilbert and Mary Evink.

To God alone, be all the glory!