Glen Van Genderen

June 29, 1931 - June 6, 2018

Glen Van Genderen, 86, of Oskaloosa and formerly of New Sharon, died Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was one of two sons born to Fredinord “Fred” and Anna Margaret De Cook Van Genderen. Glen was born on June 29, 1931, on a farm south of Leighton. He attended Leighton Country School and went on to graduate from New Sharon High School with the class of 1949. Following graduation Glen joined his dad and brother Dale, farming the family farm. He also worked for Van Hill Dairy delivering milk. On January 26, 1957, he was united in marriage to Shirley Crane of Oskaloosa at the Methodist Church in New Sharon. To this marriage two children were born Dennis and Linda. Glen had a great love of agriculture, especially livestock. In addition to farming he was a Kent Feed Dealer in New Sharon and Rose Hill for 17 years. Glen and Shirley also owned and operated Country Inn Pizza in New Sharon for the past 30 years. Throughout his career of owning businesses Glen’s favorite thing to do was joke and visit with his customers. Due to failing health, they were forced to close Country Inn Pizza. In February of 2017, Glen and Shirley moved into Oskaloosa. Glen loved music of all kinds, country, gospel, and especially polka. He also enjoyed antique cars and tractors. Glen spent many hours keeping his property neat and tidy, he spent many hours mowing waterways and painting. He loved the farm, especially raising pigs and cows. His family includes his wife of over 61 years Shirley Van Genderen of Oskaloosa; his son and his wife, Dennis and Lynnae Van Genderen of New Sharon; his daughter and her husband, Linda and Jerome Fynaardt of rural Rose Hill; four grandchildren, Cole (Chelsey) Van Genderen of Prairie City, Callie (Brandon) Ver Steegh of Pella, Eddie (Kelcey) Fynaardt of rural Rose Hill, and Tanya (Shane) Dickinson of Indianola; four great grandchildren, Ayden Fynaardt, Karson Fynaardt, Trevon Dickinson, and Sawyer Dickinson. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Dale Van Genderen. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 11, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Del Bittner officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday morning after 10:00 in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 2-4 Sunday afternoon to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Serenity House. Glen’s family would like to thank MHP Hospital Services for the wonderful and kind care given to Glen. To his three doctors, Dr. Breon, Dr. Olsen, and Dr. Ruckman, THANK YOU for the dedicated care you gave to Glen and the family. A special thank you to the nurses and aides that helped us though our loved one’s final days at the Serenity House.