Arnold “Arnie” D. Van Gerpen
Arnold “Arnie” D. Van Gerpen, 80, Lake Mills, formerly of Rake, passed away Monday, Nov 19, 2018 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 23, at Zion Lutheran Church, Rake, with Pastor Douglas Rokke officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.Inurnment will take place at a later date. Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, was in charge of arrangements.
Arnold Dean Van Gerpen was born March 22, 1938 in Buffalo Center, the son of Henry and Alice (Burma) Van Gerpen. He was baptized and confirmed at the Reformed Church, Buffalo Center and attended school in Rake.
On July 19, 1955 Arnie was united in marriage with Julienne “Jane” Voldahl at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City. Rake eventually became home for Arnie and Jane; it is where they raised their family, grew Arnie’s Pump Service, and also found time to hunt and fish. The couple moved to Lake Mills five years ago, when Arnie officially retired.
Survivors include his wife, Julienne “Jane,” Lake Mills; four children: Beth (Randy) Matheson, Rake; Sara (Kenneth) Kuchenbecker, Rake; Bruce (Lori) Van Gerpen, Buffalo Center; and Barry (Denise) Van Gerpen, Ypsilanti, N.D.; 13 grandchildren: April Ullmann, Alicia Wirtjes, Heather Smidt, Christopher Van Gerpen, Jessica Hallett, Allison Van Gerpen, Shannon Peterson, Scott Van Gerpen, Adam Van Gerpen, Jeremiah Van Gerpen, Jennifer Van Gerpen, Jessica Villa and Chance Wegner; 25 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Elaine Boehm, Buffalo Center; and Lila Hassebrock, Johnston; five sisters-in-law: Lou Ann Van Gerpen, Garner; Betty Langpap, Lake Mills; LaVonne (Gene) Leland, Lake Mills; Arlene Larson, Mankato, Minn.; and Sharon Voldahl, Temple, Texas; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Mark Van Gerpen; two grandsons: Justin Van Gerpen and Terry Van Gerpen; and two brothers: Pete Van Gerpen and Harold Van Gerpen.
