Earl Van Gorp

Earl was born February 1, 1921 in Hull Iowa, the son of James and Rocina (DeBoer) Van Gorp. He was raised on a farm south of Hull, where he also went to school through the eighth grade. On July 18, 1941, he married Wilma Mary Mouw in a garden wedding in Sioux Center, Iowa. Earl entered military service in December 1942 and learned to be a tank commander and trained on bases in Kentucky and in Georgia. He was sent to Europe in September of 1943, and served in France, Belgium and Germany. He was missing in action during the Battle of the Bulge for weeks and was the sole survivor among his tank crew twice over. For his service he earned the Bronze Star for Valor and the Presidential Unit Citation award for combat action in Bastogne. He was honorably discharged in September 1945. Earl, Wilma and family moved from Orange City, Iowa, to a farm south of Montevideo in December 1948, where they farmed and raised their family. After retiring in 1986, they moved into a home in Montevideo and remained there until July 2007, when he and Wilma became residents of Brookside Manor. Wilma died of lymphoma January 17, 2009. In October of 2012, Earl moved to Long Prairie and lived there until his death on March 18, 2015, at Valley View Assisted Living. Earl was an active member of Hope Reformed Church, which he helped to found in the late 1940s. He was a livestock and dairy farmer and loved the land. After retiring, he took pride in his yard and garden. He enjoyed watching TV, keeping up with current events and local sports teams, the Minnesota Twins being a favorite. Earl loved having the grandchildren and great grandchildren around and hearing of their busy lives and accomplishments. Survivors include three children and their spouses: Wanda and Richard Oftedahl of Battle Lake, Dr. Paul Van Gorp and Bobbi Knutson of Long Prairie, Dr. Bryan and Susan Van Gorp of Rushford. Survivors also include 10 grandchildren, 1 step grandson, 17 great grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren; sister Lois Rensink of Orange City, Iowa, sister and brother-in-law Eunice and Don van der Weide of Sioux Falls, SD, and sister in-law Joan Van Gorp. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Wilma, daughter Mary Beth Stenson, and brothers Marvin, Philip, Albert. Blessed be the memory of Earl among us.