Arvin Jay Van Santen, 44, Little Rock, Ark., formerly of Luverne, died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Services were Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Christian Reformed Church in Luverne. The Revs. George Koopmans and Larry Johnson officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.
Arvin Van Santen was born to Peter and Nellie (Van Hemert) Van Santen on Dec. 18, 1957, in Hawarden, Iowa. As a young boy, he lived in Lake Park, Iowa, and attended Ocheydan Christian Grade School. In 1969, the family moved to Luverne. He was a baptized member of Christian Reformed Church of Luverne. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1978 and attended Canby Vocational Technical School in Canby.
For several years he worked as a hired hand for area farmers. Then he worked for a carnival company and traveled the country on the carnival circuit. In the early ‘90s, he began working for Porocel Adsorbents and Catalysts in Little Rock. He became ill and was hospitalized in Little Rock. On Nov. 8, he was transferred to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Mr. Van Santen was an avid sports enthusiast, a computer buff, and also enjoyed playing pool.
Survivors include his parents, Peter and Nellie Van Santen, Luverne; four brothers, Jim (Marilyn) Van Santen, Steve (Carla) Van Santen, Rick (Carrie) Van Santen, all of Luverne, and Doug (Kathy) Van Santen Brandon, S.D.; six sisters, Marian (Steve) Schneekloth, Linda Vis, all of Luverne, Marlene (John) Wienstroer, Lenexa, Kan., Marge (Lonnie) Briese, Hartford, SD., Carolyn (Larry) Pap, Hardwick, and Lori (Gary) Serum, Champlin; 17 nephews; 14 nieces; nine great-nieces and nephews; and his mentor, Dave Allinson, Little Rock.
Mr. Van Santen was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and an infant sister, Betty Jean.
The family requests memorials be directed to the Children’s Miracle Network.
Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.