Michael Van Essen

Michael Wayne Van Essen, 54, of Sioux Center Iowa passed away on July 3, 2023.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday July 14, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center, Iowa. 

Michael was born on May 18, 1969 in Bellflower, California. He was the first child born to Kathy and Orlin Van Essen. Growing up, Michael worked on the Van Essen family dairy and chicken ranches. Michael did most his schooling in California with 3 years of school in Minnesota. He grew up watching NHRA drag racing, tennis, baseball, and was an avid golfer. 

When Michael was not working as a trucker hauling milk, his hobbies included fishing, playing board games, especially Yahtzee, spending time with good friends, and he enjoyed cooking and smoking food.

Michael is survived by his three children Kendra Van Essen, Kelsey (Van Essen) and husband Robert Lopez, and Michael Van Essen, 7 grandchildren, his Father and Mother, Orlin and Kathy Van Essen, sisters Tanya (Van Essen) and Adam Kluck, Tamara (Van Essen) and Josh Pope and dear friend Laurie Cooper VanderWeide. 

Michael is preceded in death by his twin sisters that died at birth and brother in law Thad Franklin. 

Michael’s favorite Bible verse: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declare the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”