Elizabeth Gertrude (Betty) Van Essen age 86 of Edgerton, formerly  of Leota,  died  March 10, 2014, at Edgebrook Care Facility in Edgerton.
She was born September 28, 1927 near Chandler, Mn. She was the daughter of Carl and Gertrude  Bruxvoort, Kreun. She married Henry W. Van Essen on March 23, 1947.
Betty  received her education in a country school.  After the death of her father,  she helped on the family farm until her mother moved into Chandler.   Then she did housework in Chandler and Holland, MI., worked in the Leader café in Edgerton and later at Bethesda Sanatorium in Denver, CO.   After marriage they lived in Leota and in 1950 moved to a farm northeast of Leota.  In 1963 moved back to Leota having purchased a half share in the De Boer Grocery Store and Locker Plant. After moving to Leota she cooked for the hot lunch program at the Leota Christian School. Later they maintained the Leota Park for several years.
She was a member of the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church of Leota, sang in the choir, was a member of the Golden Hour Circle, was an active member of the Southwest Christian High School Circle, and also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She volunteered many hours at the Bible Thrift Store in Worthington.
Surviving are sons Quentin (Edith) Van Essen of Sioux Center, IA, Don (Deborah) Van Essen of Grand Rapids, MI., and Lee (June) Van Essen of Sioux Falls, SD., and daughters Bonnie (Les) Netjes of Rock Rapids, IA., Mary (Verlyn) Vander Top of Loveland, CO., and Kristi (Gregg) Zonnefeld of Waupun, WI., 20 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, brother Chuck Kreun  and sister Caroline Schierbeek of Holland, MI and sisters Jo Pals, Edgerton, MN and Priscilla Christians of Champaigne, Ill.
Betty was preceded in death by her Husband, parents, 3 brothers, 4 sisters, 2 infant brothers.
Visitation will be from 9:15-10:15am Friday, at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church, in Leota.  The Funeral Service will be 10:30 am Friday, March 14, 2014, at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church, with Rev.  Joseph Vanden Akker. Burial will be at the Leota Community Cemetery.

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