HENRY WILLARD VAN ESSEN, age 86, of Leota, died Friday, August 28, 2009, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. He was born April 3, 1923, near Chandler, to William and Hattie (Pool) Van Essen. Henry received his education in the Leota Christian School and one year at the Edgerton Public High School. Many years later, all of the WWII veterans were issued high school diplomas. Henry worked on the family farm until entering military service in 1944 and served his country in the European Theater before being discharged in 1946. Henry married Betty Kreun on March 23, 1947, in Leota. After marriage, Henry and his brother, Oscar, operated the Van Essen Grocery in Leota, followed by thirteen years of farming. After which, he purchased a half share in the De Boer Grocery and locker plant. In 1980, he sold his share in the store and became a maintenance man at Edgebrook Nursing Home in Edgerton. He spent his later years maintaining the Leota Park until he was handicapped by a stroke. Henry enjoyed serving as Funeral Director at the Leota Burial Association for many years. He was a lifelong member of the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church of Leota. He served as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, sang in the church choir & attended Men?s Bible Study. Henry also served on both the Leota Christian School and Southwest Christian High School Boards. He was an active member of the Edgerton American Legion Post #42. Henry is survived by his wife, Betty Van Essen, Leota; three sons, Quentin (Edy) Van Essen, Sioux Center, IA; Don (Deb) Van Essen, Grand Rapids, MI; and Lee (June) Van Essen, Sioux Falls, SD; three daughters, Bonnie (Les) Netjes, Rock Rapids, IA; Mary (Verlyn) Vander Top, Loveland, CO; and Kristi (Gregg) Zonnefeld, Waupun, WI; twenty grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; five brothers, Oscar (Celia) Van Essen, Edgerton; Willard (Arlene) Van Essen, Grand Rapids, MI; Les (Elaine) Van Essen, Grand Hoven, MI; Ivan (Barb) Van Essen, Dyer, IN; and Glenn (Jeri) Van Essen, Leota; and two sisters, Trena (Lance) Van Dyke, Leota; and Cynthia (Nick) De Boer, Leota. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Emily Beukelman; and Margaret Vander Lugt; and a brother, Marvin Van Essen.