THEODORE Van PEURSEM

      Theodore (Bud) Howard Van Peursem went to be with his heavenly Father on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.  He was born December 10, 1931 on a farm south of Leota, MN known as the Jongetjes farm.  He was the 4th child born to Walter & Ida (Pronk) Van Peursem.  He attended country school through the 7th grade. He had multiple jobs, working on the family farm, helping neighbors with harvesting, driving truck for Cornie Ruiter, and moving houses, until he left to serve in the Korean War from 1952-1954.

   Theodore got the nickname “Bud” at an early age from a neighbor girl who came to help the family with household chores.  The nickname stuck with him over his 89 years.

   He was united in marriage to Joann Prins on February 16, 1956 at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church.  Their first home was on a farm 4 miles southeast of Leota, where their first child was born.  In 1957 they moved to a farm 4 miles southwest of Chandler, where the next 4 of their children were born.  Five years later they moved to the family farm 7 miles southeast of Chandler and had their sixth child.  They stayed on the farm until 2002, when they retired and moved to Leota. 

   In February Bud and Joann were blessed to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary with their children.

   Bud was a faithful member of the Bethel Reformed Church of Leota all his life. He served on the church council as deacon.

   Bud loved crop and cattle farming.  After retirement, he continued to help on the family farm until well into his late 80’s.  It’s true that you can take the farmer off the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the farmer.  Even in his final days Bud talked about the work that he needed to do on the farm.

   Bud is lovingly remembered by his wife, Joann, and children, Douglas & Brenda, Leota, MN, Bonnie (Bob) Ossefoort, Woodstock, MN, Eugene & Laura, Edgerton, MN, Bruce & Betty, Chandler, MN, Ivan & Marilyn, Chandler, MN, Patty (David) Sanborn, Savage, MN, sister Rosella Calcagne, Murrieta, CA, sister-in-law – Irene (Tony) Beyenhof, Ontario, CA, sister-in-law and husband Eileen & Willard Sankey, brother-in-law Daryl Prins, 13 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren.

   Bud was preceded in death by his parents, sister - Irene, siblings & their wives – Morris & Dorothy Van Peursem, Elmer & Harriet Van Peursem, brother - Melvin, brother-in-law & wife – Peter & Gertrude Prins, brothers-in-law Wilbur Kooiman and Frank Calcagne, and a great granddaughter – Summer Lydia Van Peursem.

Visitation will be from 4:30-7pm Thursday at Bethel Reformed Church in Leota.  Funeral will be 10:30 am Friday, April 23, 2021, at Bethel Reformed Church in Leota.  Burial will be at the Leota Community Cemetery.

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