Ernie Engbers, 90, of Sun City, AZ, and formerly of Pella, died Feb. 3, 2020. Visitation with the family present was Feb. 11 at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery, Pella.
Ernest Glen, the son of Arie and Gertrude (Bensink) Engbers, Sr., was born Aug. 2, 1931, in Pella. July 10, 1951, he was united in marriage with Geneva Colene Kloostra. Unto this union was born four daughters: Cynthia Jewell, Kristy Lynn, Peggy Sue, and Michelle Dawn. Ernie and Geneva lived in Pella where Ernie worked as manager of the Farmers Co-op Elevator for 35 years. In 1985, Ernie and Geneva moved to Chino, CA, where he worked as business manager for Ontario Christian Schools until retirement in Sun City, AZ. His leadership skills led him to serve on local school boards and fund-raising drives in Pella. He also served on the board of Land O’ Lakes and Calvary Rehabilitation Center. He adored his wife, Geneva, and cherished each of the 68 years he spent by her side. Together, they enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends and to see the world. Ernie’s greatest joy was being a child of God. He was a member of the 1st Christian Reformed Church in Pella and a charter member of Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. He served as elder during his membership at Ontario Christian Reformed Church and his current church home, West Valley Christian Fellowship.
Ernie was a competitor, which showed up often on the golf course. This passion he passed on to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved watching family of every age participating in their activities. He taught them how to bowl, to water ski, to throw a softball, make layups, ride horses, shoot an arrow, and to make a joyful noise.
Ernie passed on to his eternal home surrounded by family whom he prayed for by name daily: His wife Geneva; his daughters, Cynthia (Marvin) Van Wyk of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Kristy (W. Wesley) Wasmundt of Springfield, IL, Peggy (Collin) Ashman of Surprise, AZ, Michelle (Jeff) Riggen of Pella; 14 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Ernie leaves his beloved in-laws: Violet Engbers, Zelda Engbers, Marie (Harold) Van Maanen, Harlan (Sally) Kloostra, Gerald (Janice) Kloostra, Willard (Marcille) Bosveld, Irene Botof, and many loved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Cooper Riggen; three brothers, John Engbers, Marvin Engbers, and Arie Engbers, Jr.; a stillborn baby brother, John Henry Engbers; and a brother and sister-in-law, Marvin (Delores) Bosveld.
Ernie shook hands with presidents, testified before Congress, and offered prayer behind the Iron Curtain, but most important to him was love of family.
