On September 11, 2026, John Dean Van Den Berg, age 90, of Pella, Iowa, stepped from this life into the arms of his Savior Jesus.
John was born November 25, 1935, the youngest of eight children to Joe and Alpha Van Den Berg. At 18, he met the love of his life, Rosie, and they were soon married. John’s dream had always been to farm, but God had a greater harvest in mind. Surrendering his life to Christ, he answered a call to ministry at a Billy Graham crusade that would shape the next 50 plus years of his life. He earned his degree at Bible College in Des Moines, Iowa, and pastored churches in Nebraska, Clear Lake, Waterloo, and served at Third Church in Pella, faithfully preaching the Gospel wherever the Lord sent him.
Early in his ministry, John survived a farm accident and severe burns. The night before surgery, God’s healing presence swept through his hospital room, and by morning, his skin became brand new. It was a miracle he testified to for the rest of his life.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Rosie; his parents, Joe and Alpha Van Den Berg; and all of his siblings. He is survived by his son, Joe; grandchildren Sarah (Harris), Jena (Matt), and John (friend Peyton); great-grandchildren Rebekah, Hudson, Madeline, Wyatt, Lynnley, and Alaina; and other family members, all carrying his faith forward.
John was also a lifelong, die-hard Iowa Hawkeye fan, as any true Iowan should be, and rarely missed a game. He was also a huge Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever fan in his later years. Just as faithfully, John showed up every single morning to open McDonald’s for with boys breakfast crew, a beloved group of friends and old farmers who always had plenty to talk about, fully convinced the place simply could not open without him. As far as anyone knows, he was right.
John’s life echoed one simple truth: Serve the Lord with all your heart, trust in His goodness, and He will never, ever fail you.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on September 15th at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella, Iowa. The service will follow at 10:30 AM Wednesday, September 16th, at Third Church, Pella, Iowa, with a light lunch and burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Pella, Iowa.
The funeral service will be livestreamed from the Garden Chapel YouTube page.
Memorials may be given to the Wildwood Hills Ranch: https://www.wildwoodhillsranch.org/donate
