Reverend David Vander Laan

George, Iowa David Vander Laan, age 59, of George, IA, died Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at his home with his family by his side. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 12th at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA, with Pastor Bryan Anderson and Pastor Chris Godfredsen officiating. Burial will follow at Hope Reformed Cemetery near George. Visitation will be Sunday, October 11th from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., with family present from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George. Jurrens Funeral Home of George is in charge of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the missions that Dave held so close to his heart. Dave Joel Vander Laan was born on July, 21, 1956 in Greeley, CO, the son of Harold and Muriel (Van Binsbergen) Vander Laan. He grew up in the communities of George and Orange City. Dave graduated from MOC High School in 1974. He went on to Northwestern College and earned a degree in Communications. He spent many hours behind the mic at KVDB. In 1990, Dave entered Western Theological Seminary and earned a Masters of Divinity degree. On January 2, 1996, he was united in marriage to Lori (Vander Veen) Van Wyk at the First Reformed Church in Orange City, IA. They moved to Rotterdam Junction, NY where Dave pastored the congregation of Woestina Reformed Church. While there, they were blessed with triplets. The family then moved to George, IA where Dave served as pastor of Hope Reformed Church from 2001-2010. He then was the moderator at Salem Reformed Church, Little Rock, IA. In 2013, he accepted a call to the Melvin First Reformed Church. While pastoring the church in Melvin, he was employed as a representative for the Words of Hope ministry. Dave served both faithfully until his brain cancer progressed. Dave was also involved in the Cursillo ministry which not only gave him the opportunity to bless others, but also gave him the opportunity to be blessed by those he served. He was very involved in the George/Little Rock Ministerial Association and served the entire community in multiple ways. Dave enjoyed life and the many opportunities that God placed before him. He witnessed to people constantly through music, prayer, writing, and especially through words of encouragement and the sharing of scripture on his Facebook page. His wife and children along with his many friends felt the great love he had for them. Dave truly "delighted" in people! Dave is survived by his loving wife, Lori, daughter, Abby, sons, Seth and Erik, all of George, IA; step-sons, Heath (Kate) Van Wyk and family of Boise, ID, Nate (Mandy) Van Wyk and family of Sioux Falls, SD, Nick Van Wyk of Fortuna, CA, Curt Van Wyk of Alton, IA; six step-grandchildren; parents, Harold and Muriel Vander Laan of Orange City, IA; sister, Becky (Martin) Koster of Morrison, IL, brother, Phil Vander Laan of Iowa City, IA; mother-in-law, Margaret Vander Veen of Sibley, IA; sisters-in-law, Marlys (Marv) De Koster of Orange City, IA and Phyllis (Paul) Vellema of Harris, IA; brothers-in-law, Randall (Kate) Vander Veen, Duane (Sue) Vander Veen both of Harris, IA, Curt (Beth) Vander Veen of Ocheyedan, IA, Verlyn (Julie) Vander Veen of Spirit Lake, IA, Steve (Melissa) Vander Veen of Hartley, IA and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant brother and father-in-law, Klaas Vander Veen.