Alfred Jake Van Ash

Larchwood, Iowa Alfred J. Van Ash, age 89 of Larchwood, IA passed away Sunday, September 16, 2012 at Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, September 19th at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA with Fr. Jeff Schleisman celebrating. Burial will follow at Larchwood Cemetery in Larchwood, IA. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 18, 2012 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. There will be a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. that evening. Memorials will be named at a later date. The Jurrens Funeral Home of Larchwood is in charge of arrangements. Alfred Al Jake Van Ash was born December 4, 1922 in Larchwood, IA, the son of Sophie (Friessen) and Henry Van Ash. Al grew up in Larchwood where he attended St. Marys Catholic School. As a young man he held various jobs while traveling the country. On May 24, 1948, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Rockhill in Larchwood, IA. To this union they were blessed with one son, Thomas Alan. Al worked as a carpenter for various contractors. In April of 1985, he retired from Henry Carlson Construction. He was a member of the Carpenters Local Union 783 and also a member of The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, woodworking, gardening, and playing cards. Taking great pride in his Dutch heritage, Al traveled abroad many times to maintain family ties in Holland. Al was always there for his family with his love and support, words of encouragement and a solution for nearly everything. In 2012, his health began to decline, and on September 8th he entered Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD where he remained until his death. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn, of Larchwood, IA; his son, Tom and his wife, Patricia Van Ash of St. Louis, MO; two grandchildren, Randa and her husband, Paul Schuster of Minneapolis, MN and Alicienne Van Ash of St. Louis, MO; two great grandchildren, Jordan and Jack Schuster; one brother, Gordon (Lois) Van Ash of Pierre, SD; three sisters, Lenny Griffith of Sioux Falls, SD; Betty (Joe) Allen of Kansas City, MO; Beverly (Lyall) Spargo of Rapid City, SD; sisters-in-law, Joy Sprecker and Dorothy Rockhill. Al is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Sophie, and a brother, Cletus Van Ash.