Henry Esselink, 80, of Hills died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Services were Friday, Jan. 20, at the Steen Reformed Church in Steen with the Rev. Dan Ramaker officiating. Burial was at the Hills United Reformed Cemetery in Hills.
Henry Esselink was born Dec. 6, 1925, on the family farm near Beaver Creek to Klaas and Syke (Dykstra) Esselink. He attended Beaver Creek Community Schools and helped his father with the farm work. On March 27, 1945, Mr. Esselink entered the U.S. Army and was stationed on the eastern seaboard. He was honorably discharged in November 1946. He married Kathleen Ann Berghorst on Jan. 7, 1949, at Christian Reformed Church in Hills. He worked on the family farm north of Hills until his retirement in 1990.
Mr. Esselink was a past member of the Christian Reformed Church for 72 years, where he served as elder. He was a charter member of the Christian School of Hills, member of the Hills American Legion, Post No. 399, and a member of the Steen Reformed Church in Steen.
He enjoyed reading and attending sports activities with his family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Gary (Arlene) Esselink and David (Barbara) Esselink, all of Hills; seven grandchildren, Steven Esselink, Jaclyn Esselink, Aaron Esselink, Heather Esselink, Justin Esselink, Kelli Esselink, and Ashley Esselink; one brother Gerrit (Dorothy) Esselink, Leota; one brother-in-law, Kenneth (Claribel) Berghorst, Champlin; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Lense Esselink, and one sister, Bertha Den Besten.
Roste Funeral Home of Hills is in charge of arrangements.
Kathleen Esselink, age 85 of Hills, MN died Sunday, April 20, 2014 at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 24th at Steen Reformed Church in Steen, MN, with Rev. Dave Poppen officiating. Burial will follow at United Reformed Cemetery in Hills, MN.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 23rd from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills.
Kathleen Ann Esselink was born September 8, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Bert and Henrietta "Hattie" (Stip) Berghorst. At the age of two she and her family moved to Hills, MN. There she attended Hills Community School and graduated in 1946. She continued her education at Mankato Teacher's College receiving her Teacher's Certificate. She taught for two years in SW Minnesota area.
Kathleen was united in marriage to Henry Esselink on January 7, 1949 at the Christian Reformed Church in Hills, MN. After their marriage they lived and farmed their entire married life one mile north of Hills, MN. In 1990 Kathleen and Henry retired from farming.
She was a past member of the Christian Reformed Church in Hills and current member of Steen Reformed Church in Steen. She was very active with Ladies Aide and other church activities. She enjoyed baking wedding, anniversary, and graduation cakes for many years. She also was an avid reader, enjoyed crocheting and crafts. Most of all Kathleen enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. A special memory of Kathleen and Henry was the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary in 1999.
Kathleen is survived by two sons, David (Barbara) Esselink and Gary (Arlene) Esselink, both of Hills, MN; seven grandchildren, Steven Esselink, Jaclyn (Charles) Black, Aaron Esselink, Heather Esselink (fiancé, Micah Rensink) , Justin Esselink, Kelli Esselink and Ashley Esselink; one brother, Kenneth (Clarabel) Berghorst of Anoka, MN; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Esselink of Leota, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Hattie Berghorst; and her husband of 57 years, Henry Esselink.