Harold Van Surksum
Harold Van Surksum, 83, passed away Sunday, September 15, 2024, in Luverne, Minn. Funeral services were held at the American Reformed Church, Luverne, on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Interment was in the Leota Community Cemetery, Leota, Minn.
Harold Marion Van Surksum was born on November 23, 1940 to Gerrit and Doris (Bruxvoort) Van Surksum at home in southwest Murray County, Minnesota. Harold was baptized in 1941 and confirmed in 1960 at Bethel Reformed Church in Leota. His first two years of school were attended at the country school south of Leota. The family moved to a farm south of Chandler, Minnesota, and Harold attended Chandler Christian School for five years. The family then moved to the home place south of Leota where
he attended 8th grade at Leota Public School. He then stayed home to help on the farm while finishing high school through correspondence courses by mail through American School out of Chicago, Illinois. Harold graduated high school on March 19, 1959.
On February 5, 1960, Harold was united in marriage to Garneth Irene Hulstein at Bethel Reformed Church in Leota. After their marriage, they moved to Chino, California, where Harold spent four years working for a dairy, milking cows. He then began installing cabinets in new homes for two years after that. In 1966, they moved back to Leota and began the dairy farm. Thirty years later, they moved to Luverne. In 1997, he began working at Rain Soft Water Treatment in Rock Rapids, Iowa, in sales. At the same time he worked mornings in the maintenance department at Holiday Inn Express in Brandon, South Dakota, until his retirement in 2006. After retirement, he worked four days a week at Glen’s Food Center, which later became Teal’s Market, and then Sunshine Foods.
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, Harold passed away unexpectedly while riding bicycle, at the age of 83 years, 9 months, and 23 days.
Harold was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne. During their time on the farm, they attended Bethel Reformed Church in Leota. He sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, served as deacon and later as elder for many years. He and Garneth were both RCYF sponsors for many years. Harold served on the Leota Christian School Board and the Leota 4th of July and Park Board for many years.
Harold is lovingly remembered by his four children, Gwen Van Surksum of Sioux Falls, Garvin (Becky) Van Surksum of Chandler, Rick (Jacci) Van Surksum of Bullard, Texas, and Renita (Jerod) Enninga of Luverne; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Marlene Hofkamp of Leota, Roger (Becci) Van Surksum of Alexandria, Minnesota, Verla Dodgen of Luverne, and Gor- don (Reymie) Van Surksum of Lake Forest, California.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Garneth; parents, Gerrit and Doris; and brothers-in-law, John Hofkamp and Bob Severson.
