Norman Van Essen

Norman Van Essen, 80, of Winterset died Friday, November 2, 2018, at his home in Winterset. A visitation will be held from Noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday, November 6, at New Bridge Church in Winterset where family will be present during this time. Funeral services immediately following the visitation, beginning at 4 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the New Bridge Church and online condolences may be left for the family at ochiltree.com. Norman Otis Van Essen was born on December 13, 1937, the son of Otto and Dorothy (Uitermarkt) Van Essen. His marriage to Karen Howell Mayer took place on May 23, 1987 in Winterset. During his working years he was a farmer and he concluded his work at Rose Acres after fourteen years. Norman was an active member of the New Bridge Church. He was also a member of the John Deere Two Cylinder Club and his love of tractors made him an avid antique tractor show fan, as well as a toy tractor collector. He also enjoyed watching Pastor John Hagge of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio. All this said, Norman was a devoted family man who cherished time spent with family and his friends. Norman is survived by his wife, Karen Van Essen of Winterset; his children, Teresa (Thomas) Cullum of Evansville, IN, Randy (Mary) Van Essen of Otley, step-children, Eric (Carmen) Mayer of San Antonio, TX, Diane (Jim) Leeper of Mesa, AZ; two sisters, Lennie (Marv) Miller of Murfreesboro, TN, Audrey Peterson of Overland Park, KS; 6 grandchildren, Jake Van Essen, Aaron Mayer, Rudy Mayer, Ronnie Mayer, Jordan Leeper, Justin Leeper; 9 great grandchildren; extended family and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-son, Steven Mayer and a granddaughter, Antonia Mayer.