Harlan J. 'Butch' Den Besten

IN MEMORY OF
HARLAN J. “BUTCH” DEN BESTEN

BORN
October 31, 1950
Rock Valley, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
March 13, 2008
Boyden, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Saturday
March 15, 2008
Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church
Middleburg, Iowa
Rev. Stephen Breen ~ Officiating

MUSIC
“Amazing Grace”
Sung by: Norm Moret
“Go Rest High On the Mountain” C.D.
“We Shall Inherit” C.D.
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“How Great Thou Art”
“The Lord’s My Shepherd”
Organist: Linda Breen

CASKET BEARERS
Norm Moret Larry Dokter
Norm Van Voorst John Vande Hoef
Darlo Van Surksum Alvin Stuit

FINAL RESTING PLACE
Sheridan Township Cemetery ~ Boyden, Iowa

Arrangements are under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home Boyden, Iowa

After today’s service, relatives and friends are invited
to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.


HARLAN J. “BUTCH” DEN BESTEN


Harlan John “Butch” Den Besten, the son of John and Wilhelmina (Klarenbeek) Den Besten, was born October 31, 1950 in Rock Valley, IA. Butch grew up on a farm near Alvord, Iowa and attended West Lyon Schools. He was united in marriage to Luella Vollink on November 1, 1968. He was united in marriage to Janice Postma on December 5, 1975. They lived in Doon, IA until October of 1976, where Butch was the maintenance man and the town cop. They then moved to Boyden in October of 1976 and Butch was employed at the Farmers Co-op Elevator form 1976 – 1997. He then worked at the Sioux Center Co-op Elevator from 1998 – 2005. Butch was united in marriage to Katherine Newland on June 26, 2004 and they made their home southwest of Boyden. Presently he was employed at B&M Concrete, Hope Haven and the Farmers Co-op Elevator in Boyden. Butch passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at his home near Boyden, IA, reaching the age of 57 years, 4 months and 13 days.
Butch was a member of Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church in Middleburg, IA; he was an active member of AA and worked a lot with the New Life Treatment Center in Woodstock. He loved horses and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, riding motorcycles and snowmobiles; he also enjoyed working in his garden.
Butch leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Kathy of Boyden; and his five children, Lynelle Schemmel of Salem, SD; Jeanie and her husband, Danny Maae of Hull, IA; Mark and his wife, Angie Den Besten of Boyden, IA; Tyler Den Besten of Sioux Falls, SD and Chantel Den Besten of Rock Rapids, IA; twelve grandchildren, Amanda, Ashley and Amber Schemmel; Dustin, Bret, Michaela, Alexis and Keilani Maae; Alexandra, Hunter and Taiten Den Besten; his mother, Wilhelmina Den Besten of Doon, IA and a sister, Linda and her husband, Ed Vander Brink of Alvord, IA; two nephews and their families and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father.