Larry Van Mersbergen, 83, of Oskaloosa, died Friday, October 16, 2026, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born on March 5, 1943, in Mahaska County, the son of Lewis and Irene Van Ommen Van Mersbergen. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1960. Following high school, he helped his dad on the family farm. In addition to helping on the farm, he worked for Wake’s Feed driving the feed truck. He eventually went to work full-time at Wakes as his love of trucking grew. His career driving truck took him all over the United States hauling mostly livestock and some grain. On February 11, 2005, he was united in marriage to Jean DeVries in Oskaloosa. Retirement was not a word he understood and was helping haul local loads for Allied Gas and Chemical completing his last trip on his 83rd birthday. Larry was an active member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. Larry was a talented vocalist and had been a 15-year member of the Men’s Gospel Chorus and was an original member of the Living Water Quartet. He enjoyed antique farm equipment and visiting with family and friends.
His family includes his wife Jean Van Mersbergen of Oskaloosa; four children, Wayne C. (Gail) Van Mersbergen of Bloomfield, Sheryl Fenton of Oskaloosa, Rhonda (Rob) Taylor of Clive, and Brad (Stephanie) Van Mersbergen of Oskaloosa; seven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren, his stepchildren, Jolene Woodard of Oskaloosa, Linda (Tom) Kruseman of Leighton, and Ronnie DeVries of Oskaloosa, and many cousins.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James Van Mersbergen; a stepson, Darrell DeVries; and his grandparents.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jon Spronk officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 Wednesday morning in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Leighton. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, after 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Tuesday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Serenity House.
