Wesley "Wes" Van Daalen

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Wesley "Wes" Van Daalen, 81, of Dell Rapids passed away Sunday, November 18, 2012.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM Friday, November 23, 2012 at United Methodist Church in Dell Rapids. Burial will be in the Dell Rapids Cemetery.

Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM Thursday, November 22, 2012 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids.

Wesley was born February 23, 1931 on a farm south of Egan, SD in Moody County to parents Wesley, Sr. and Laura (Baldwin) Van Daalen. He grew up in the area and attended school in Egan, graduating in 1950. He participated in basketball and track, setting several records which are still unbeaten.

Wes married Maureen Christensen January 1, 1951 at Sioux Valley Baptist Church, rural Moody County. They farmed east of Trent from 1952 to 1981. They moved to Dell Rapids in 1981. While farming, Wes sold feed part time and then eventually ventured into a livestock equipment business. He sold the business in 1998 and became officially retired. Wes and Maureen spent their winters at Siesta Village in Weslaco, Texas from 1996 to 2004. Maureen passed away December 31, 2008.

Wes was known by three names; his relatives called him “Jr." classmates and teachers called him “Hap” and everyone called him “Wes” when he started farming east of Trent. He was not good at remembering names but could figure out who people were by which name they addressed him by.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Egan, United Methodist Church in Dell Rapids, Moose Lodge in Sioux Falls and was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for several years. While wintering in Texas he helped distribute food and clothing to the needy. In his spare time he remodeled several houses and helped with the new addition to the Methodist Church in Dell Rapids.

Wes passed away November 18, 2012 at Riverview Manor in Flandreau, SD at the age of 81.

Grateful for having shared his life are two sons , Douglas (Rita), Mandan, ND and Thomas (Shelly), Dell Rapids; five granddaughters, Cozette, Amber, Courtney, Tina and Crystal; six great-grandchildren; sister, Audrey Leuning, Jasper, MN and very special companion, Bernice Wrage and her family as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

Wes was preceded in death by his wife, Maureen; parents; daughter, Patricia Van Holland and a brother.