Colleen was daughter of James J and Marion (McGath) Sulllivan and raised
in Sioux Falls, SD
Married Daryl Gruis and later divorced.
Married Dale Van Engen July 1983.
Survivors are her husband and five children: Vicki Bullock-Sibley, Ron (Shari) Van Engen-Sibley, Pam (Dean) Kruger-Little Rock, Amy Gruis-Rock Rapids, Kim (travis) Miller-Primghar, five sisters: Kathleen McKenzie Sioux Falls, Mary Fleming Knoxville, TN, Tracy Graff of SF, Michelle (Jason) Bruns of SF, Jacqueline Iossi of SF, three brothers: James (Gayle) Sullivan of Brandon, SD, Mark (Patti) Sullivan SF, Thomas (Julie) Sullivan SF, and her grandmother Dorothy V Sullivan of Duluth, MN
Dale Van Engen, age 71 of Sibley, IA died Thursday, November 10, 2011 at the Sanford Hospital in Sheldon, IA.
Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Monday, November 14, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, with Reverend Terry Simm officiating. Burial will follow in the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 13th from 2-8 PM with the family present from 6-8 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.
Dale Marion Van Engen was born January 4, 1940 on a family farm southwest of Sheldon, Iowa, the son of Abraham and Dorothy (Vogel) Van Engen. He was raised on the farm and attended country school. After his education he remained living with his parents, working for various farmers in the area. He also worked at the creamery, sale barn for 30 years, the truck stop, the elevator in Little Rock, IA, Conveyor Company in Sibley and hauled chickens for Bosma.
On April 16, 1960 Dale married Lois Stratmeier at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, IA. Three children were born to this union. In 1968 they moved to a farm southwest of Sibley. In 1973 Dale and Lois were divorced.
On July 24, 1983 Dale married Colleen Sullivan. On July 13, 1997 Dale's wife, Colleen died after 13 years of marriage. Through the years Dale enjoyed attending farm sales, raising animals on his farm, and fishing. He hosted several A.B.A.T.E. parties and Muscular Dystrophy parties at his farm. He frequently visited Winnavegas Casino and Argosy Riverboat Casino near Sioux City, IA. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He cherished his grandkids, a great-grandson and his dog, Blackie.
After years of failing health Dale died this past Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Sanford Hospital in Sheldon, IA at the age of 71. He is survived by five children, Vicki (Duane) Vande Garde, Ron (Shari) Van Engen, both of Sibley, IA, Pam (Chad) Wollmuth of Little Rock, IA; Amy Gruis of Harrisburg, SD and Kim (Jamie) Lyons of Sheldon, IA; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; a brother, Les Van Engen of Sheldon, IA; and many other extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Abraham and Dorothy Van Engen; his wife, Colleen Van Engen; two brothers, Gerald and Adrian Van Engen; and one sister, Verna Jean Vander Zwaag.