Harold William Van Dam

Harold Van Dam age 70 of Edgerton, MN died Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Sanford Sioux Valley Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota, MN. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 PM Tuesday, May 3, 2011, also at the church in Leota. A luncheon will be served immediately following the funeral service at the church. Interment will be 9:30 AM Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the Chandler Memorial Cemetery. The Chandler Funeral Association is handling the arrangements.

Harold William Van Dam was born April 24, 1941 to Henry and Eva (Van Ruler) Van Dam on the family farm in Chanarambie Township, Murray County. He was baptized and professed his faith in the Reformed Church in Chandler. He attended country school and later Chandler Public School, graduating from Chandler High School in 1959. As a young man, Harold worked with his father on the farm until 1964 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After he received his honorable discharge in 1966 he returned to the Chandler, MN area.

On January 2, 1968 Harold married Marcella Rylaarsdam in the Chandler Christian Reformed Church. They made their home in Leota, MN until 1981, when they moved to an acreage southeast of Edgerton, MN, where they lived currently. Harold worked for the Mouw’s Feed & Grain in Leota for over forty one years as a mill operator, and retired in September of 2008 when he was diagnosed with Pre-Leukemia.

Harold was a member of the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota, where he served as a Deacon in the past. He also served on the Leota Christian School Board. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, planting trees over the years, woodworking, raising livestock, and traveling with his wife. He loved his family dearly and especially spending time with his grandchildren and attending their activities.

At the very end of April, 2011 Harold entered Sanford-Sioux Valley Medical Center, where he passed away Saturday, April 30, 2011, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 70.

Harold is lovingly remembered by his wife of 43 years, Marcella Van Dam of Edgerton, MN; one daughter, Amy (Corwin) Runia of Melvin, IA; three sons, Alan (Shela) Van Dam of Chandler, MN, Mark (Paula) Van Dam of Edgerton, MN, and Curtis (Kim) Van Dam of Sioux Center, IA; six grandchildren, Katie, Jacob, Jeremy, Abby and Joshua Van Dam and Evan Runia; three brothers, Henry M. (Marie) Van Dam of Lake Wilson, MN, Marvin (Donna) Van Dam of Chandler, MN, and Albert (Sandy) Van Dam of Slayton, MN; two sisters, Kathy (Verlin) Rylaarsdam of Chandler, MN and Della (Aldon) Klassen of Gardner City, KS; brother-in-law, Cornie (Delores) Rylaarsdam of Sioux Center, IA; three sisters-in-law, Jan (Bud) Van Eck of Luverne, MN, Verla (Bruce) Kreun of Chandler, MN, and Connie (Roger) Hacker of Canby, MN; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Lisa, two infant grandchildren, Emily Van Dam and Derrek Runia, his parents, one brother, Jim Van Dam and one brother-in-law, Marvin Rylaarsdam.