Service: September 2, 2020, Mt. Sinai United Methodist Church, Dr. Larry Krueger officiating
Erwin Van Essen passed away August 15, 2020. He was born to Hulda Krumbach and Dick Van Essen on May 15, 1937. Erwin has one sister, Delores Arlene Fast, one nephew, Larry Fast, two nieces, Debora Joy Weber and Tamara Joyce Henderson still living. Erwin grew up on the family farm outside of Parker, South Dakota. He 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. Following graduation from college he became a missionary with the Evangelical United Brethren Conference of South Dakota. 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 NM 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.