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BORN
1937
DIED
2020
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Erwin VanEssen Obituary
Carlsbad - Erwin Van Essen, 83, passed away August 15, 2020 in Artesia, NM. A memorial service will be held at 10 AM, Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at Mt. Sinai United Methodist Church with Dr. Larry Krueger officiating.
Erwin was born to Hulda Krumbach and Dick Van Essen on May 15, 1937. Erwin has one sister, Delores Arlene Fast and one nephew, Larry Fast, and two nieces, Debora Joy Weber and Tamara Joyce Henderson still living. Erwin grew up on the family farm outside of Parker, South Dakota. Erwin's present home reflected his farm country heritage. Erwin graduated from Parker High School in 1955 and keeps in touch with those remaining his class of 38. From very early the church became very important in Erwin's life. It was the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Parker. After high school Erwin attended and graduated from Westmar College with a degree in Elementary Education in 1959. Following graduation from college he became a missionary with the Evangelical United Brethren Conference of South Dakota. And came to be an art teacher at McCurdy School in Espanola, NM. McCurdy was a mission school providing resident education through high school started before statehood. He taught art at McCurdy for thirty-one years. During this time he continued his learning earning Masters in Counseling and Masters in Gerontology, and almost a Masters in Pottery. In 1987 he left McCurdy to attend St. Paul's School of Theology to earn his Masters of Divinity. Erwin was ordained to ministry in the New Mexico Annual Conference and began his ministry as Associated Minister at First United Methodist Church Roswell, NM in the summer of 1990. Following his time in Roswell he served as pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Iraan, Texas. In 1993 he came to be the first full time chaplain at Landsun Homes in Carlsbad. During this time Erwin served on the worship team for the New Mexico Conference and on the boards of other ministries in the Southwest Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. Erwin officially retired in 2005, but continued to be in ministry where ever and with whomever he could reach out to. Erwin never lost his eye for beauty in the world and his love for people. Erwin was a life long learner and continued to read to the very end of his life. There is not a room in his home that does not reflect his love for books. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com
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Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries
Elaine (Manzanares) Rodriguez
June 22, 2022
"Mr. Van" was my high school art teacher at McCurdy School in Espanola. I always enjoyed going to his classes and learning the techniques of painting, pottery, and weaving. He had many friends in and around the community who had common artistic talents and on occasion would volunteer in our class. He was a character and truly loved working with his students. One of his favorite things was to give us nicknames. Mine was the "Donut Dutchess" because I held an after school job at a local bakery. He always told us he was going to get a red convertible Mercedes Benz when he left teaching. I often wondered if he ever did. Fond memories of a very generous and kind man. Glad I had the privilege of having him as a teacher. Rest in peace Mr. VanEssen.
Roger Tanquist
September 1, 2020
Erwin and I go back to the class of 1955 at Parker, SD. I started out as a pre-theological student, but Erwin stayed with it. Such great conversations we had in recent years.
Sharing appreciation for those who cared for him and sympathy with all those who loved him.
Roger Tanquist
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Denton-Wood Funeral Home & Pecos Valley Crematory1001 North Canal Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220
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