Gary Van Engelenhoven, 83, of Oskaloosa, died Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born on October 9, 1941, in Pella, Iowa, the son of Cornelius and Grace (Boot) Van Engelenhoven. He attended “Brush College” country school in Mahaska County. Following school he served in the United States Army National Guard. On July 17, 1963, he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Ross at Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. To this union two daughters were born Dannitta and Dawn. Gary had a long and successful career in animal nutrition. He started working at Wake’s Feed in Oskaloosa and was there for 33 years. After 33 years there he worked for a few years at Super Sweet Feeds. He then took a job as a Livestock Specialist with Land O Lakes. He was especially talented at helping dairy farmers keep their herds healthy and productive. He was committed to his customers and was even asking for his phone while in the hospital to make sure his customers didn’t need anything. He was a faithful member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. He gave selflessly of his time and talents to the church, serving as a Deacon, Elder, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School Volunteer, and served on the board of the CRWRC for six years. He and Mary also helped with LOVE INC. in Mahaska County for many years. He was a talented singer with a strong tenor voice. He was one of the founding members of the Gospel Singers Male Chorus in 1970, and the Living Water Quartet in 1997. He also sang with many other gospel groups and choirs throughout his life. He truly enjoyed sharing the Gospel through song. He was a member of the Cattleman’s Association. He enjoyed collecting and repairing clocks, being a “band dad” when his girls were in school, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and tending to his animals especially his cats.
His family includes his two daughters and their husbands, Dannitta and Kevin Presley of Eddyville and Dawn and James Anderson of Oskaloosa; four grandchildren, Nicole (Brandon) Banning, Shania (Marshal) Wilz, Matthew Presley, and Tyler Anderson; two brothers, Arvin (Dena) Van Engelenhoven and Emory (Deb) Van Engelenhoven all of Oskaloosa; a sister, Janice Borchers of Oskaloosa; brothers and sisters-in-law, Marlene Van Engelenhoven of Oskaloosa and Margery Fritz of Oskaloosa and many nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by his wife of over 61 years, Mary Lou Van Engelenhoven on October 27, 2024; his parents; his father and mother-in-law, Leonard and Irene Ross; a brother, James Van Engelenhoven; and two sisters, Junella (Wes) VanKooten and Emily Van Engelenhoven; a nephew, Andrew Van Engelenhoven; and a brother-in-law, Robert Fritz.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jonathan Spronk officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Wednesday, March 26, 2025, after 12 noon in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 5-7 to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to First Christian Reformed Church or MHP Hospice Serenity House.
