John Van Cleef

John Van Cleef, age 95, a longtime resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Thursday, August 4, 2011, at Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park, Minnesota.John James Van Cleef was born June 15, 1916, in Dane Prairie Township, rural Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the son of Henry and Hilda (Boen) Van Cleef. John's mother, Hilda, died when he was five; soon after the family moved to Salem, Oregon, for several years where he was raised by his loving Aunt Rose. He attended parochial school in Salem before returning to Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm in rural Elizabeth Township. John attended country school district #166. On April 30, 1941, John was united in marriage to Grace May Motz at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Elizabeth, Minnesota. When they were first married they farmed in the Breckenridge, Minnesota area. John and Grace spent the remainder of their farming years together in Scambler Township until 1966 when they moved into Pelican Rapids. John was employed by West Central Turkeys for many years. In June 2004, John and Grace entered the Good Samaritan Center in Pelican Rapids. Grace preceded John in death in 2006. John moved to Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park in 2008.John was a member of St. Leonard's Catholic Church in Pelican Rapids. He enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, playing cards, and fishing. John had a special bond with each of his many pets. He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. John especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. John is survived by 6 children: Robert (Pam) Van Cleef, McAllen, TX, Hank (Angie) Van Cleef, Pelican Rapids, MN, Gerry (Dick) Carter, Alexandria, MN, Moureen (Charles) Grunewald, Golden Valley, MN, Joanne (Ron) Sherbrooke, Lake Park, MN, and Johneen (Todd Logan) Van Cleef, Kent, MN; 32 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; daughter, Kathleen Wischnack; grandchildren: Rhonda Bartsch and Benjamin Kenyon; parents, Henry and Hilda; step-mother, Agnes (Wedll) Van Cleef; and sisters: Mildred Van Cleef and Johannah Dumke. Blessed Be The Memory Of John Van Cleef Funeral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572