Funeral services for Herman Van Mersbergen Jr., 91, of Pella were held July 4, 2016, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. Memorials may be made to New Life Prison Ministry. Herman passed away at the Comfort House on the morning of Thursday, June 30.
Herman was born Mar. 11, 1925, in Sully, the youngest of seven children born to Herman and Sietske (Terpstra) Van Mersbergen Sr.
Herman began his schooling in Sully. At the age of 10, the family moved to Oskaloosa, where Herman completed his schooling.
Herman was a World War II veteran. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947. In 2009, he had the opportunity to be part of an Honor Flight that flew to Washington, D.C., to view the World War II Memorial.
Jan. 26, 1950, he was united in marriage with Anna Mae Van Wyk. To this union five children were born.
Herman and Anna Mae lived by Oskaloosa, where Herman farmed for the first years of their married life. The family moved to Peoria in 1957, where Herman continued to farm for one year before moving to Pella in 1958. Upon moving to Pella, Herman began his 33-year career for Vermeer Manufacturing. After retiring from Vermeer in 1991, Herman then began working for the City of Pella as a Golden Circle Senior Citizen Van driver, a job he did for 21 years.
Herman was a faithful member of Calvary Christian Reformed Church where he served as an elder and deacon.
Herman enjoyed woodworking. He and Anna Mae created many wooden items for their children and grandchildren. He also loved to go for walks and bike rides, playing games on his iPad and Wii bowling. He enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoyed family trips, especially the trips to the Denver, CO, area. Herman and Anna Mae also took several trips to Cary, MS, for mission work.
Herman was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Those left to cherish his memory are: His five children, Wayne (Marilyn) Van Mersbergen, Nancy (Marlow) Ten Napel, Sharon (Tim) Roose, Howard Van Mersbergen, and Arlene (Jim) Dugger; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren, and one sister, Adeline Eveland.
Herman was preceded in death by his wife; a daughter-in-law, Myra Van Mersbergen; his parents; his parents-in-law, Will D. and Nellie Van Wyk; his two brothers, Marius and Lawrence; and three sisters, Nellie Rus, Jeanette Van Mersbergen, and Harriet Van Mersbergen.
