Leonard C. Vander Esch, son of L.C. and Maria (Haverhals) Vander Esch, was born October 19, 1917 at Ireton, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm near Hawarden and received his education at a rural school in Eagle Township, District 3. On February 5, 1939 he married his beloved wife, Gertrude (Van Wyk) Kosters. Along with farming, he was a well-known auctioneer for over 50 years in the Siouxland area. In 1954 the couple moved to Hawarden where he owned and operated Van Chevrolet and later the Hawarden Sale Barn. Leonard also worked at the Sibley, Sheldon and Sioux Center Sale Barns.
He was a member of the Lebanon Christian Reformed Church for many years prior to becoming a member of Hawarden Community Reformed Church. Leonard loved to dedicate his time auctioning and fund raising at church and charitable functions. Among the things he enjoyed were fishing, cooking and feeding people, eating at a variety of restaurants, spending time with his children and grandchildren. Leonard was admired and loved by his family. He never met a stranger, and he was a friend to many people.
Leonard died Wednesday, November 24, 1999 at the Hawarden Community Hospital at the age of 82 years.
Survivors include his wife, Gertrude; two sisters, Ann Van Driessen of Sioux Center, Iowa and Marie Dekkers and husband Joe of Hawarden; brother, Severt Vander Esch and wife Christine of Hawarden; a son, Lee Vander Esch and wife Marilyn of Port Huron, Michigan; four daughters and their spouses, Geri and Bob DeBoom of Longmont, Colorado, Mary and Ralph Van De Berg of Sioux Center, Linda and Stan Dykstra of Belgrade, Montana, Betty and Jim Dunnam of Alcester, South Dakota; Honorary Pallbearers: Grandchildren: Sharon Vander Esch, Scott Van De Berg, April Dykstra Bosley, Heather Wielenga Haneklaus, Leah Van De Berg, Susie Dykstra, Brent Wielenga; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Henry and wife Elizabeth and Sebrecht; infant sister, Hendrena; and brother-in-law, Ernest Van Driessen.
Gertrude Vander Esch, 93, of Hawarden, Iowa, died Sunday, July 18, 2010, at her residence in Hawarden.
Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Hawarden Community Church, with the Rev. Doug Baker officiating. Family committal service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden, with burial in Grace Hill Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon Friday, with the family present from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Porter Funeral Home.
Gertrude Van Wyk Kosters was born on July 9, 1917, to Jacob and Grace Van Wyk. Gertrude's birth parents passed away when she was very young. At the age of 3, she was adopted by Gerrit and Dena Kosters. She grew up on a farm at Ireton, Iowa.
On Feb. 5, 1939, Gertrude and Leonard Vander Esch were married at Ireton, Iowa, and the couple began farming near Maurice, Iowa. Later they moved to a farm near Hawarden, and in 1955 they moved to town. The two were married for 60 years when Leonard passed away in 1999.
Gertrude enjoyed sewing, quilting and cooking. She loved giving her talents to family and friends. Also a big part of those memories was a busy farm life, hired men and the sale barn in Hawarden. Later, she helped in homes of families in Hawarden that need assistance because of illness. Blessed with a long life, she gained numerous acquaintances and caring friends.
Gertrude suffered many hardships and disappointments in life, but did not complain and always looked for the good in every person and everything. She impacted many lives with her gifts of caring service.
Survivors include one son, Lee (Marilyn) Vander Esch, of Port Huron, MI; four daughters: Geri (Robert) DeBoom, of Allen, TX, Mary (Ralph) Van De Berg, of Sioux Center, IA, Linda (Stan) Dykstra, of Belgrade, and Betty (Jim) Dunnam, of Alcester, SD; 25 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard Vander Esch; brother, Dick Van Wyk; and sisters, Hendrene Schutt and Martha Van Roekel.
Published in Bozeman Daily Chronicle on July 22, 2010