Henry Edsel Van Drunen

Henry Van Drunen Livestream Link

Sibley, IA

     Henry E. Van Drunen, age 93 of Sibley, Iowa died Saturday, February 6, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society Home in George, Iowa.

     Private Family Funeral will take place on Thursday, February 11^th at Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley, Iowa, with burial to follow at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.  

     There will be a video of service uploaded on our website following the service.

     Public visitation will be Wednesday, February 10^th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. Family will not be present.

     Henry Edsel Van Drunen was born May 5, 1927, at Sibley, IA. He was the son of Henry “Hap” Van Drunen and Bessie Mae (Brouwer) Van Drunen. He lived his youth in Sibley and attended school there through the eighth grade. He earned his G.E.D. later. In 1944, he moved with his family to Storm Lake, IA. He worked with his dad as a cobbler/ shoe repairman. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was aboard the ship the USS AGAWAM. He was a veteran of WWII and was discharged in June of 1946. On March 17, 1946, he was united in marriage to Jeanette “June” Klinkkammer at Storm Lake, IA. They were blessed with three children: Maxine, Keith, and Connie. While they were living in Storm Lake, he was employed at a packing plant and cannery. In 1955, they moved to Sibley to live on June's home farm place where he farmed. In 1976, he retired from farming and started working at the Farmer's Co-op Elevator at Bigelow, MN. He retired from the elevator in 1985. After that he was employed as a farm hand. In 1994 they moved into Sibley where he took up woodworking as a hobby. After 52 years of marriage, June passed away on May 1st, 1998. In August of 2014 he sold his home and moved into an apartment. With his failing health he moved on October 5, 2020 to the George Good Samaritan Center where he passed away on February 6th, 2021.

     Left to cherish his memories are two daughters and sons-in-law. Maxine and Bernie Groote of George, and Connie and Charlie Putnam of Sheldon. One son and daughter-in-law Keith and Janelle Van Drunen of George, four grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Nancy Van Drunen of Minneapolis, MN, and four nieces.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, June, a brother James Van Drunen, and three siblings in infancy.