Louise Van Gerpen, 89 of Tyndall and formerly of Avon

Her funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Avon. Private family committal services will be held at the First Baptist Cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation will be at the church from 5 to 7 Monday, with the family present. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Avon is in charge of the arrangements.

Louise Irene Van Gerpen, daughter of Louis J. and Ida M. (Oorlog) Dykstra was born February 9, 1926 at Tyndall. She went home to be with her LORD on Friday, November 13, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall. Louise attained the age of 89 years, nine months and five days.

Louise grew up with 5 brothers and 2 sisters, living in the Avon area in several different homes. Louise attended grade school in the Avon area and was a 1944 graduate of Avon High School and remained an avid Avon Pirate, supporting her boys and grandchildren's activities. Upon graduation from High School she taught country school for several years. As a young lady, she worked in Avon at the K & K Store later at Dykes Standard, Dykes Store and BJ's. She also enjoyed the coffee hour visits from her brother Louie at the farm to discuss "business".

Louise married Roland Van Gerpen on March 26, 1947 at the Avon Baptist Church. Three sons were blessed to their union. Together they farmed northeast of Avon. She raised chickens to support the activities of her sons, including swimming and piano lessons.  Louise loved to cook for her family. Her specialties included pies shared at family reunions and Dykes Store and BJ's, popcorn balls for nieces, nephews and pastor's families, cinnamon rolls and pfeffnasse(peppernuts) at Christmas. For regular after church Sunday night treats she made cherry malts and hamburgers and popcorn was always on the menu. Louise loved singing with and to her grandchildren. She deeply loved her grandchildren and they deeply loved her.

Louise grew up in the Trinity Presbyterian Church, and after her marriage, she joined the First Baptist Church and was baptized on May 27, 1951. Here she sang in the church choir, served as Sunday School teacher and a Jr. CBY leader. She was a "visual" teacher utilizing flannel graph extensively to illustrate her teaching. Louise was an avid supporter of the Women's Missionary Fellowship leading the "Hot Dog" night at the GSS Tyndall. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Louise was an active supporter of her husband's political aspirations and after her husband's sudden death on July 13, 1983, she was appointed by then Governor William Janklow to fill his vacancy as State Representative of District 19 on October 4, 1983. She served in this capacity from 1983 to 1984. Louise was "proud to be an American" observing national holidays and always had a high regard for her country's flag and enjoyed giving them to people.

After a fall and failing health, Louise became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall on October 14, 2011. During the early days of her stay she was the "sunshine lady" for many residents greeting them in the halls and singing hymns, many of them by memory.

Thankful for having been taught by her life are her sons: Bill and wife Karen of Tyndall; Danny and wife Arlis of Tripp; and Lorney and wife Barbara of Avon; 13 grandchildren: Shawn (Lisa) Van Gerpen, Laura (Bob) Slama, Danae (Shawn) Turner, Daniel (Lyla) Van Gerpen, Natalie (Matt) McFarland, Jedd (Kimberly) Van Gerpen, Mark (Micaela) Van Gerpen, Naomi (Kevin) Kocer, Lauren Van Gerpen, Emily Van Gerpen, Luke Van Gerpen, Caleb Van Gerpen and Chloe Van Gerpen ; 10 great grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband; parents; five brothers: Dick, John, Garritt, David and Louis; and two sisters: Henrietta Vilhauer and Annie Hiedemann.