Funeral services for Marion Bernard Van Steenwyk, 86, of Aberdeen and formerly of Luverne, MN and Sioux Falls, SD will be at 11:00 am on Monday, January 25, 2010 at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN. Pastor Sabol will officiate. Family present visitation will be on Sunday from 5-7 pm at Miller Funeral Home (507 S Main) and will resume one hour prior to the funeral on Monday. Burial will follow at Hills of Rest Memorial Park in Sioux Falls, SD.

Marion Bernard Van Steenwyk passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 19, 2010.

Marion Bernard Van Steenwyk was born October 7, 1923 in Holland, MN to Abe and Dora Van Steenwyk. At an early age, Marion and his family move to Sioux Falls, SD where he attended school at Franklin Elementary School and Whittier Junior High School.

In 1941, Marion began working at the Morrell Packing Plant . On April 14, 1943, Marion was inducted in the US Army Air Corps at Ft Crook, Nebraska. He served in the South Pacific with the 1403rd Military Police Company in Australia, New Guinea, Pilau, Philippines, Okinawa and Korea for 26 months. His duties included patrolling US air strips on his Harley-Davidson motorcyle which he named Miss Sioux Falls. He attained the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged at Ft Leavenworth, KA on December 20, 1945.

After returning to Sioux Falls, he returned to work at the John Morrell Packing Plant where he was employed until his retirement in January of 1981.

He met Margaret Anna Urban and they were married on June 10, 1947. They lived on acreage near Sioux Falls, where they raised five wonderful children together. On May 25th, 1976, after 29 years of marriage, Margaret passed away.

On August 5, 1977, he married Marian Elaine Westphal. He and Marian resided in Luverne, Mn and enjoyed 29 years of marriage until Marians death in July of 2007. At that time Marion moved to Aberdeen to live with his daughter, Margaret.

Marion enjoyed reading western novels and watching old westerns on TV. Other hobbies included gardening, entering contests and crafts. He and Marian traveled to many craft shows to sell their wares. He enjoyed the outdoors and hunting and fishing with family and friends. At an early age he was drawn to cars and motorcycles and he passed this love down to his children. He will be remembered for his outgoing personality, his stories and his love for his family.

Grateful for having shared his life are his chldren: Michael William (Thelma) of Valley, NB; Melvin Raymond (Ruth) of Elk Point, SD; Margaret Kathleen of Aberdeen, SD; Mary Elizabeth of Sioux Falls, SD; and Marjorie Doreen (Delbert) of Minnetrista, MN; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many cousins and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Abe and Dora; his brothers Harold, Elmer and two other brothers that died at birth; and his wives Margaret and Marian.

The family wishes to express their extreme gratitude to Theresa Sparrow for her generous gift of her time and love in helping to care for Marion during his illness. The family is also grateful that Marion had so many caring friends and family members. We would like to especially thank John and DawnRae Day, Joannie Manning, Ed Wehler and Joel and Jaime Harts and their chldren Taylor, Koel, Karl and Jordan for their many phone calls, cards, letters and e-mails during his lifetime and especially during his time of illness.

Marion was lucky to have been included in the Honor Flight SD (III) that left Aberdeen for Washington, DC in October 2009. He enjoyed this trip immensely. The family requests memorials instead of flowers. These memorials will be donated to Honor Flight SD to help send another World War II veteran to Washington, DC on a future Honor Flight.