Henry Van Asperen

henry van asperen

December 28, 1925 ~ May 16, 2013

Henry ?Hank? Van Asperen, age 87, of Wessington, died May 16, 2013, at home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 20, at First Presbyterian Church of Wessington with Rev. Beth Kelsey officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00-8:00 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service all at Rembold Funeral Home in St. Lawrence. Burial will be at the Wessington Cemetery.

Henry George Carl Van Asperen was born December 28, 1925, to Abe and Lena (Jonkers) Van Asperen at home in rural Belvidere, South Dakota. At the age of 4, Hank moved with his family to Hulbert Township, Wessington, SD. He attended country school and Wessington High School.

On June 24, 1951, Hank married Myrtle ?Myrt? Horsley. He entered the Marine Corps in 1952 during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Cherry Point, North Carolina, serving in the Marine Air Corps and received the rank of Sergeant. Hank was honorably discharged and returned back to Hulbert Township, Wessington, SD to farm and ranch with his wife. They raised four children. In 1982, they moved to Wessington.

Hank served as a Trustee and member of First Presbyterian Church of Wessington, Supervisor and Director of Hulbert Township Board, Director of Farmers Union Board of Wessington for 23 years, Director and member of South Dakota Stockgrowers, member of Watson-Krauter American Legion Post 110, and 4-H leader. In 1980, he was winner of the Annual Soil and Moisture Achievement Award given by the Hand Co. Conservation District Board of Supervisors.

He is survived by his wife and four children: Craig (Cheryl) Van Asperen, Wessington; David (Kimery) Van Asperen, Huron; Debra (Scott) Alexander, Alpena; Vicki (Kirk) Diekhoff, Wessington, eight grandchildren: Hilary (Brian) Rossow, Camron Van Asperen, Kelly (Philip) Dugan, Tyler (Sara) Van Asperen, Whitney (John) Tapken, Megan Rowen (fiancé, Brian Huizenga), Laurel Diekhoff and Aaron Diekhoff, five step-grandchild, Becky (Mike) Krueger, Brian (Julie) Bell, Ryan Bell (fiancé, Alisha Wilson), Daniel Alexander and Brett Alexander (fiancé, Tyann Slepikas), eleven great-grandchildren, and one sister, Grace Vigilone of Raleigh, North Carolina, and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers: Andrew, Samuel, William I, William II, and Oscar; six sisters: Ferne Porter, Sadie Walker, Wilma Licht, Margaret Waldner, Clara Schnoor, and Mildred Haun.

Rembold Funeral Home of St. Lawrence has been entrusted with Hank?s arrangements.

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  1. Vickie and family sorry to hear of Hanks passing. He is at peace now and with the lord. Find comfort in your many memories. Kerwin and Gail Haeder

  2. I guess there was a need for a man of the land and he was called. Thinking of you and yours.
    Bob

  3. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you. My God help you through this difficult time.

  4. Dear Dave and Van Asperen family.
    My sincere condolences on the passing of Henry. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of mourning.

  5. Myrt and Family…I wish to extend my sincere sympathy and prayers for you and your family. Hank was a very nice gentleman. I worked for his sister Ferne in the cafe at Wessington when I was in High School and the summer and Fall after I graduated. Was good to see you Myrt and Hank last Fall at the Pheasant Supper. Mariellen (Bothwell)Ross.

  6. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all. We know you have wonderful memories that will always be with you.

  7. Prayers with your family. Hank was a great family man and community leader.

  8. Thanks to the internet I can pick up news from the different places I’ve lived. Blessings on all of you at the death of Henry. I remember him from when Perkins and I lived in Wessington.

  9. Real sorry to hear of your loss.
    My prayers thoughts are with you and your family.
    Katherine Stobbs Splichal

  10. I extend my sympathy to the family of Henry at this difficult time. May you be comforted by the promise of the resurrection and the end of sickness and death forever. God makes this wonderful promise to us at Revelation 21:4 where it says, And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. I hope these words are of some consolation.


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