In loving memory of

Mark Van Gerpen
March 26, 1960 - November 5, 2009

Mark Van Gerpen, age 49, of Rake, IA, died on Thursday at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt, IA.
His memorial ceremony was held at 2:00 PM Monday at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake, Iowa, with Pastor Carlton Shaw officiating. Burial will be at a later date.
Visitation was Sunday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center, IA. Mark Van Gerpen was born on March 26, 1960 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Arnold and Julienne (Voldahl) Van Gerpen. One week later he moved with his family to Iowa. He was baptized in Buffalo Center at the Reformed Church and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake. He attended Rake Community School.
Mark was blessed with six children: Scott, Justin, Adam, Jeremiah, Jennifer, and Shannon. He was blessed with eleven beautiful grandchildren.
Mark loved spending his time with his best friend and fiancée Deb for the last four years. She was truly the love of his life. Mark worked with his brother and father in the family’s water well-drilling company for the last ten years.
Mark enjoyed nature, his family, music, hunting, and fishing. Mark shared his wisdom with his children and his many, many friends.
Mark’s world revolved around his friends and family, bringing joy and laughter to all. He always loved the trips he made to North Dakota. Marks lifetime dream was fulfilled when he took two trips to Alaska, fishing and bear hunting, thanks to his dear friend Dennis Oswald.
Mark passed away after a beautiful sunset on his way home. He died peacefully at North Iowa Hospice in Britt, Iowa on Thursday, November 5, 2009, surrounded by his friends and family.
Mark was blessed to have the support and special care of his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Mark deeply appreciated their kindness and generosity especially throughout his courageous battle with cancer.
Mark is survived by his: fiancée Deb Lankammer of Rake; four sons: Scott of Winnebago, MN; Adam and his wife Brooke of Swea City, IA; Jeremiah of Blue Earth, MN; and Shannon of Lake Mills, IA; daughter Jennifer and fiancée Aaron of Winona, MN; daughter-in-law Emmy Rudolph of Detroit Lakes, MN; eleven grandchildren; parents Arnold and Julienne Van Gerpen of Rake, IA; two sisters: Beth Matheson and husband Randy of Rake, IA; and Sara Kuchenbecker and husband Kenneth of Rake, IA; two brothers: Bruce Van Gerpen and wife Lori of Rake, IA; and Barry Van Gerpen and wife Denise of Ypsilanti, ND; eight nieces and nephews: Heather Smidt; Christopher Van Gerpen; Jessica Hallett; April Ullmann; Alicia Matheson; Allison Van Gerpen; Jessica Wagner; and Chance Wagner; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his son Justin Mark in 2002, nephew Terry Van Gerpen; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Tributes

Angie Sheldon wrote on Nov 11, 2009:

"Sending prayers of strength."

Ron & Susan Geerdes wrote on Nov 10, 2009:

"We are praying you will all experience God's comfort and that this pain will dig deep wells for joy in the year ahead."

Anne Berberich wrote on Nov 9, 2009:

"Mark will be sorely missed but remembered always for his kindness, caring and wonderful sense of humor. My deepest sympathy to Mark's family in this time of sadness. Anne Berberich"

Clark & Sheri wrote on Nov 8, 2009:

"We are so very sorry for you loss, you are all in our thoughts and prayers."

George Jensvold wrote on Nov 8, 2009:

"Our sympathies to Mark's family. He fought a hard battle, but the "higher power" had other plans for him. This higher power will give all of you the strength to have only loving and good memories of Mark. We are thinking of all of you, especially his children and grandchildren and of course Arnie and Janie. George and Donna"