Hermina Alice “Mina” (Van Engen) Van Kley was born June 7, 1928, in Archer, IA the daughter of John and Tena (Van Roekel) Van Engen. She attended schools in Sioux Center, IA and Sibley, IA graduating from Sibley High School in 1946. Mina attended a summer semester at Westmar College in LeMars, IA where she earned a teaching certificate, then taught for one year at a rural school near Sibley.
On March 3, 1948, Hermina was united in marriage to Cornie Van Kley at the Christian Reformed Church in Sibley. For three years, the couple lived in a small house on Case Van Kley’s farm near Sibley, and then moved to Sanborn, IA in 1953. Cornie and Mina would live at the same residence in Sanborn the rest of their lives. Cornie worked for O’Brien County Coop Creamery (AMPI) for 38 years while Mina was a faithful housewife, selling Stanley Home Products and Avon Products while raising their three sons. Later, she worked at Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn and along with Cornie, served for 23 years as custodian of the First Reformed Church in Sanborn where they were both members.
Cornie and Mina’s sons, Craig, Dennis, and Douglas all graduated from Sanborn High School and Northwestern College, in Orange City, IA, becoming teachers and coaches and making their parents proud. Mina always enjoyed attending her boys’ sporting events, and watching Yankees and Twins baseball games with her husband and sons. Fishing, camping, and playing card games were also on her list of favorite activities, but probably her best times were those just spent with her family. One of her last days she expressed with joy her love for Jesus, her family, her friends and the Stay in Home workers who helped her this past year because “she wasn’t going to leave her home”.
Cornie entered Heaven on July 17, 2006, and Mina joined her beloved husband and the Lord Jesus on August 15, 2022, at the age of 94, having passed into victory at Sanford Sheldon Hospital in Sheldon, IA.
Keeping Mina’s memory close at heart are her sons: Craig and Sharon Van Kley of Blue Earth, MN and their three children: Kay (Bernie) Beigh, Chad (Jaime) Van Kley, Kurt (Amanda) Van Kley; Dennis and Sandy Van Kley of Sioux Center, IA and their three children: Taylor (Pam) Van Kley, Dr. Brett Van Kley, and Brady (Miche) Van Kley: Douglas and Michelle Van Kley of Edgerton, MN and their three children: Heather, Hailey (Chad) Gaunt, and Blake; 16 great grandchildren: Kalison and Benjamin Beigh, Caedrian, Kasen, Lincoln, and Roman Van Kley, Ella, Avery, Eli Van Kley, Jack, Lilianna, Alayna Van Kley, Hawkyn and Liowyn Van Kley, Noah Voge and Auburn Gaunt; her sister, Tina Buysman of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Dorothy Van Kley of Sanborn; and last but not least, her faithful dog companion of 16 years, Teddy.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Cornie; five sisters: Gert (Joe) Baker, Nancy (Nick) Cuperus, Clazina (Mitch) Vander Veen, Alice Van Engen, Johanna (Jake) Vos; seven brothers: Abe Van Engen, Gerrit “Gary” Van Engen, John Van Engen, Gerrit Van Engen, George Van Engen, William Van Engen, and Albert Van Engen.
A funeral service was held August 20 at First Reformed Church, Sanborn, Iowa with Pastor Mark Ellens officiating.
Pallbearers were Chad Van Kley, Kurtis Van Kley, Brett Van Kley, Taylor Van Kley, Brady Van Kley and Blake Van Kley.
Honorary Pallbearers were Kay Beigh, Heather Van Kley, Hailey Gaunt, Chad Gaunt, Miche Van Kley, Bernie Beigh, Jamie Van Kley, Amanda Van Kley, Pamela Van Kley and Nine Great-Grandchildren.
Eric Rozeboom offered the Musical Tribute “One Day At A Time” and “He Touched Me.” Songs of Praise were “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “Amazing Grace” and “Mansion Over The Hilltop.” The pianist was Judy Dykstra.
Interment was at Roseland Cemetery of Sanborn.
Sanborn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.