Gertrude Grace “Gert” (DeRuyter) Van Engen was born to Dick and Lena (Kooistra) DeRuyter on December 8, 1927, at Beaver Creek, Minnesota. Her family moved to Iowa, and then to Hills, Minnesota where she met Dick Van Engen; they were married December 18, 1946.
Dick and Gert farmed at Doon, Iowa and Melvin, Iowa until 1984 when they retired and moved to Luverne, Minnesota. Following Dick’s death on August 23, 1995, Gert continued to live in their home for several years before moving to the Centennial Apartments located in Luverne. Wanting to be closer to her family, she became a resident at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley, Iowa in 2015. While living there, she made many new friends – both residents and staff.
Gert was a faithful wife, mother and grandmother, caring for each one. She loved gardening, having coffee with her neighbors, quilting, and refinishing old furniture. She was always baking and cooking, ready to serve her family or anyone who stopped by the house. Having five sons, the Van Engen farm was host to many kids over the years.
Gert passed away at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at the age of 95.
Left to cherish her memory are her children: Doug (Brenda) Van Engen of Branson, Missouri, Cliff (Marlys) Van Engen of Hartley, Iowa, Darrel Van Engen of Primghar, Iowa, Myron (Connie) Van Engen of Melvin, Iowa and Curt (Donna) Van Engen of Hartley, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Mina (Ed) Poppens, and Carol (Rich) Hill; three sisters-in-law: Shirley DeRuyter, Linda Wissink and Fran DeRuyter; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her parents, Dick and Lena DeRuyter; six siblings: John DeRuyter, Mary Gunnick, Rich DeRuyter, Spark DeRuyter, Nellie Schoonhoven and Gerrit DeRuyter; four in-laws: Margaret DeRuyter, Pete Gunnick, Eleanor DeRuyter, and John Schoonhoven; and daughter-in-law, Luisa Hornick.
A memorial service was held February 1 at Grace Fellowship Church, Hartley, Iowa. The clergy were Rev. Kenneth C. Eberline II and Rev. Nathan Van Engen.
Pallbearers were John Van Engen, Nathan Van Engen, Andy Van Engen, Jared Van Engen, Shane Van Engen, Jason Van Engen, Dawn Culver, Laurena Overmire, Angie Selzer, Amy Van Engen, Keri Eberline and Kayln Rife.
Musicians were Pianist ~ Annika Overmire, pianist, Marlys Van Engen, violinist and Ken Eberline II, guitar/vocal.
Musical Tributes were offered by Laurena Overmire with “What a Day That Will Be” and “One Day at a Time” and by Ken Eberline II with “I Saw the Light.”
Songs of Praise were “My Savior’s Love (How Marvelous)” and “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” with Ken Eberline II.
Interment was at Baker Township Cemetery, Melvin, Iowa. Memorials given to honor Gert’s memory will be directed to the Union Gospel Mission and the Christian Worship Hour.
Hartley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.