July 25, 1935 – January 15, 2023

Rev. Lester W. Van Essen, age 87, Caledonia, Mich., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 15, 2023. The funeral service celebrating Rev. Van Essen’s faith and life in Christ took place at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 21, 2023, with Rev. Mark Neymeiyer officiating.

Lester was born on July 25, 1935, and was raised near Leota, Minnesota, one of eleven children born to William and Hattie Van Essen. A graduate of Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary, Rev. Van Essen served as a missionary for Christian Reformed World Missions in Nigeria for 20 years. He went on to serve as the pastor of Immanuel CRC in Burbank, Illinois, for 11 years, and First Lansing CRC in Lansing, Illinois, for nearly 9 years before retiring in 2002. 

In his retirement years, he continued his service as an interim pastor in churches throughout the country including Bethel CRC, Edgerton, Minn. Rev. Van Essen was a devoted, passionate servant of the Lord, who faithfully led the people entrusted to his care. 

Lester’s Christ-like example will be remembered by his wife of 61 years, Elaine; their children, David (Elena) Van Essen, Evonne (Rodney) Ludema, John (Holly) Van Essen, Joel (Christine) Van Essen, and Daryl (Anna) Van Essen; their 17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; his surviving siblings, Cynthia DeBoer, Ivan (Barb) Van Essen, and Glen (Jeri) Van Essen, as well as a brother-in-law, John Beukelman, and three sisters-in-law, Marian (Dave) Young, LaVonne Last, and Mary Last; along with numerous nieces and nephews.