May 18, 1943 –  October 17, 2020

A memorial service for Henry “Archie” Nibbelink, 77, of Edgerton, Minn., was held Tuesday, October 27, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton with Pastor Scott Muilenburg officiating. Interment was in the Hillside Cemetery, Edgerton.

Music was provided by organist Vel Kooiman, special music by the Four Fathers quartet singing Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone). Congregational hymns were For All The Saints and By The Sea Of Crystal.

Casket bearers were Tadd Nibbelink, Brett Nibbelink, Pat Lorch, DJ Nibbelink, Brady Lorch, and Tyler Nibbelink.

Henry “Archie” Arthur Nibbelink was born on May 18, 1943, to William G. and Adrianna (Pennings) Nibbelink. He was raised on a farm near Orange City, Iowa, along with six siblings where many good memories were shared. He attended Orange City Elementary and Western Christian in Hull, Iowa, and later Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa.

On July 8, 1966, he married Marj Meyer from Woden, Iowa. They became acquainted at Dordt where they each shared in many musical activities such as programs, Dordt choir, and musical instruction.

After two summers of demonstrating organs for Hartog’s Piano and Organ Company, Archie moved to Edgerton following his sophomore year at Dordt where he began full-time work demonstrating, selling, installing, servicing, and dedicating Allen organs. He worked at Hartog’s for 35 years before taking a job at Fey Industries in the engineering department where he worked for 17 years.

Archie’s musical legacy began at the young age of 5 learning the accordion, followed by the piano via instruction from a Juilliard trained musician. Soon after, he found his love for the organ while hearing a talented guest organist at his home church of First CRC in Orange City. He started taking lessons at age 12 and started playing for services at age 15. This would start his 56-year career as church organist, many of which were at First CRC of Edgerton. In addition to playing organ in church, he also performed numerous demonstration and dedication services through his career at Hartog’s, and countless weddings, recitals, commencements, and funerals, including composing processionals and recessionals for each of his children’s graduations and weddings. He also arranged many hymns into organ pieces. He gave lessons to many students and enjoyed seeing others’ success and passion shared for this instrument he loved.

He wasn’t too shabby at piano either, accompanying many ensembles and soloists including his wife, Marj, son, Jeff, and daughter, Nikki. Archie loved playing for monthly hymn-sings with his siblings at his parents’ home and later in the nursing home at Orange City, Iowa.

In addition to music, Archie enjoyed other hobbies over the years. Woodworking led him to build stereo, TV, and music cabinets amongst other projects for their home. He relished being able to help his sons, Jeff, Tadd, and Brett, and “adopted” son, Pong, with their pinewood derby cars each year. He also found passion in photography, capturing nature in closeup and panoramic form as well as using his kids as portrait subjects. And he was always excited and intrigued with computers and electronics. He was an early adopter of the latest new gadgets and brought home many electronic “toys.”

He served his community and God’s kingdom relentlessly. He spent many years as deacon, elder, and school board member as well as visiting friends and neighbors in the hospital and being willing to help out whenever asked.

He loved people. His passion for making people smile was a gift that brought light to the world. Whether it be a cashier at Walmart, the wait staff at a restaurant, or friends and neighbors. He was always doing something, making some joke or just genuinely asking someone how they’re doing. To elicit a laugh meant connection.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Always interested in his kids’ activities and especially his grandkids’. He was always patient with his kids, wanting nothing but the best for them, and taking pride in all their activities and accomplishments. He provided whatever he could with some spoiling on the side. He delighted in being a grandpa to seven grandkids and looked forward to any time spent with them.

Archie went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 17, 2020.

Survivors include his wife, Marj; son Tadd Nibbelink, his wife Amy, and their son Tyler of Omaha, Nebr.; daughter Nikki, her husband Patrick Lorch, and their children Brady and Sophia of Ponte Vedra, Fla.; son Brett Nibbelink, his wife Michelle, and their children Bria and Micah of San Jose, California; daughter-in-law Kim Nibbelink and her children David Jeffrey (DJ) and Jessica of Sioux Center, Iowa; sister Joan and her husband Leo De Groot of Orange City, Iowa; and sister Marie and her husband Peter Steggerda of Orange City.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Jeff; sister Geraldine and her husband Henry W. Huisman; sister Harriet Nibbelink; sister Mathilda and her husband Maurice E. Johnson; sister Audrey Nibbelink in infancy; brother William H. Nibbelink and his wife Wilma; and sister-in-law Linda VanderPol.