Agnes Van Beek, 95, Sanborn

A funeral service for Agnes Van Beek was held Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, at the Cornerstone United Reformed Church in Sanborn, with Rev. Dan Donovan officiating.

Pallbearers were Brian Van Beek, Kent Lode, Eric Van Beek, Jeff Van Beek, Chad Van Beek and Clint Van Beek. Interment was in Roseland Cemetery at Sanborn. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Agnes Van Beek, daughter of Cornelius and Sibea (Alkema) Kuik, was born May 13, 1925 at Orange City. She spent her youth near Sanborn where she attended Christian school through the eighth grade.

On Sept. 2, 1943, Agnes was united in marriage to Wilbur John Van Beek at Denver, Colo. Together they farmed in the Sanborn area and raised their family here as well. With five sons and one daughter, Agnes had her hands full most days. If it wasn’t laundry or mending blue jeans there was always the next meal to prepare, and she managed to handle it all.

In February of 1984, Wilbur and Agnes retired from the farm and moved into the town of Sanborn. She now had more time to have coffee with friends or just spend some relaxing evenings doing handwork. However, she never lost her interest in farming and always enjoyed taking rides out to the country to view the crops. Her family meant the world to her and anyone was welcome at any time to pop in for a visit. (Most of the time the lid on the candy dish could be heard clinking in the other room!) When she wanted to take life a little easier, Agnes became a resident at the Christian Retirement Home at Sheldon, living there for seven years.

She was a member of the Cornerstone United Reformed Church in Sanborn where she participated in the Ladies Aid. Her advice to her children and grandchildren was to remain close to their Lord and Savior throughout their lives.

In November of 2016, Prairie View in Sanborn became her new home. Agnes passed away there on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 at the age of 95 years, five months and 19 days.

Keeping her memory ever close in heart are her children: Rodney (Linda) Van Beek, of Hartley; Harlan (Kris) Van Beek, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Brenda (Jerry) Balt, of Sheldon; three daughters-in-law: Carmen Van Beek, of Sioux Center; Dee Van Beek, of Sheldon; and Laura Van Beek, of Sanborn; 17 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.

Those having preceded her in death are her husband, Wilbur; her parents, Cornelius and Sibea Kuik; one brother, George Kuik; one sister, Dorothy Roos; three sons: Wayne, Calvin and Jerry Van Beek; great-grandson, Reegan Roelfs; and her mother and father-in-law, William and Jacoba (Snip) Van Beek.