MORRIS ARTHUR VAN PEURSEM, age 84, of Luverne, died Thursday, January 29, 2009, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. He was born December 28, 1924, on the family farm in Leota Township, rural Nobles County, to Walter and Ida (Pronk) Van Peursem. Morris attended country school in rural Leota. He entered the United States Army Air Corp. in December of 1944 and served his country in the Pacific Theater during WWII before being honorably discharged in November of 1946. Morris married Dorothy Netjes on October 24, 1946, in Edgerton. After their marriage, the couple farmed south of Leota. In 1969, they moved to Luverne and operated the Hillcrest Motel until 1989. He also worked as custodian at the American Reformed Church for over twenty four years. He was a member of the American Reformed Church, in Luverne, where he had served as Deacon; and the Luverne American Legion & VFW. He enjoyed carpentry work, fishing & music, especially playing the accordion, banjo & harmonica. Morris is survived by his four children, Judy Van Peursem, Boise, ID; Connie & Dan Aberson, Sioux Falls, SD; Vernon & Debra Van Peursem, Sioux City, IA; and Shirley & Myron Boeve, Luverne; nine grandchildren, Tim (Kristin) Van Peursem, Scott (Jenna) Aberson, Jennifer (Jerry) Elbert, Micah (Jaci) Aberson, Michael (Sarah) Van Peursem, Joshua (Christie) Aberson, Melissa Boeve, Tyler Van Peursem & Brittany Boeve; four great grandchildren, Trey, Aiden & Bryce Van Peursem, and Annie Elbert; brother, Theodore ?Bud? (Joann) Van Peursem, Leota; sister, Rosella (Frank) Calcagnie, Los Angeles, CA; and two sisters-in-law, Harriet Van Peursem, Pipestone; and Irene Beyenhof, Los Angeles, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy, in April of 1999; two brothers, Elmer & Melvin ?Junior? Van Peursem; and a sister, Irene Van Peursem.