Gerrit "Casey" Van Engelenhoven

GERRIT 'CASEY' VAN ENGELENHOVEN was born on April 7, 1927 to Cornelius and Gertrude (Post) Van Engelenhoven in Luverne, Minnesota. He was raised for one year in Jasper, Minnesota before moving with his family to Luverne where he was raised and attended school through the eighth grade. Following his education, he began working at A.R. Wood Manufacturing as a laborer. Over the years he received promotions and eventually became supervisor of manufacturing prototypes in the engineering department. On January 5, 1945, Casey enlisted into the United States Navy where he served as a metal smith third-class. During his service in California he met JoAnn White and on December 20, 1947, the couple was united in marriage at the Four Square Church parsonage in Long Beach, California. Casey received his honorable discharge on February 5, 1948. The newlywed couple then moved to Luverne for a few years before returning to live in Artesia, California. In 1953, they moved back to Luverne where they raised their four wonderful children. Casey resumed his manufacturing job at A.R. Woods until 1979. He then took a job at Luverne Bumper until 1982 when he became employed at Frako until his retirement in 1988. Casey remained active during his retirement by volunteering for many organizations. On January 17, 2011, Casey became a resident at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, Minnesota. In June of 2011, he became a resident at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, where on Monday, October 7, 2013 he died peacefully at the age of 86 years and six months.

Casey was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne where he served as an Elder, Deacon, Trustee and on the church building committee. He was a member of Ben Franklin Masonic Lodge #114, El Riad Shrine Temple of Sioux Falls, Luverne Commandry #22, and served as a RSVP Volunteer and on the Maplewood Cemetery Board of Directors for many years. Casey was also a member of the Glen's Coffee Clique - Last Man Standing Club and participated in the area's first Honor Flight to Washington, DC. He enjoyed carpentry, driving cars for the Ford dealership, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling and very much loved his three trips to Holland.

Casey is lovingly remembered by his wife, JoAnn; two children, Gail (Dwight) Bremer of Hardwick, Minnesota and Duane (Deb) Van Engelenhoven of Luverne, Minnesota; ten grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one brother, Evert (Judy) Van Engelenhoven of West Fargo, North Dakota; and a sister-in-law, Loretta Van Engelenhoven of Luverne. He was preceded in death by his two daughters, Carol Wessels and Sheryl Schreck; his parents; three grandchildren, Cindy Bremer, Cami Gordon and Andy Wessels; a great-granddaughter, Lucie Sailor; three sisters, Jennie Renken, Marjorie Prigge, and Teuntje Van Engelenhoven; and one brother, Tony Van Engelenhoven.