Kathleen Esselink

Hills, MN Kathleen Esselink, age 85 of Hills, MN died Sunday, April 20, 2014 at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 24th at Steen Reformed Church in Steen, MN, with Rev. Dave Poppen officiating. Burial will follow at United Reformed Cemetery in Hills, MN. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 23rd from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills. Kathleen Ann Esselink was born September 8, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Bert and Henrietta "Hattie" (Stip) Berghorst. At the age of two she and her family moved to Hills, MN. There she attended Hills Community School and graduated in 1946. She continued her education at Mankato Teacher's College receiving her Teacher's Certificate. She taught for two years in SW Minnesota area. Kathleen was united in marriage to Henry Esselink on January 7, 1949 at the Christian Reformed Church in Hills, MN. After their marriage they lived and farmed their entire married life one mile north of Hills, MN. In 1990 Kathleen and Henry retired from farming. She was a past member of the Christian Reformed Church in Hills and current member of Steen Reformed Church in Steen. She was very active with Ladies Aide and other church activities. She enjoyed baking wedding, anniversary, and graduation cakes for many years. She also was an avid reader, enjoyed crocheting and crafts. Most of all Kathleen enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. A special memory of Kathleen and Henry was the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary in 1999. Kathleen is survived by two sons, Gary (Arlene) Esselink and David (Barbara) Esselink , both of Hills, MN; seven grandchildren, Steven Esselink, Jaclyn (Charles) Black, Aaron Esselink, Heather Esselink (fiance, Micah Rensink) , Justin Esselink, Kelli Esselink and Ashley Esselink; one brother, Kenneth (Claribel) Berghorst of Anoka, MN; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Esselink of Leota, MN; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Hattie Berghorst; and her husband of 57 years, Henry Esselink.