Adrian P. “Van” Van Someren, age 78 of Baldwin, died on Wednesday morning, November 23, 2016 at the Baldwin Care Center. Van was born September 23, 1938 in Baldwin WI to parents Adrian and Dora (Zwitser) Van Someren. He was baptized as a child and professed his faith as a young man in the Baldwin Christian Reformed Church. Van graduated from the Baldwin Christian School and from Baldwin High School with the Class of 1956. After high school, he moved to Edina and lived with his brother Harris and his wife Sylvia and their children for five years, until he married Rachel Wevers on June 16, 1961. He worked for Reinhardt’s for five years in the parts division and later as a salesman to garages in north Minneapolis.

On March 1, 1962, he and Rachel moved to Baldwin and took over the one man garage and gas station, naming it Van’s 66. After a few years, he was able to purchase the building and worked on cars for 42 years. He often came home late for supper because someone just “had to talk”. He was a great listener, and sometimes even gave a bit of advice. When he retired in 2004, he didn’t miss the work, just his customers.

He thoroughly  enjoyed God’s beautiful creation. He and the family took several trips to the Rockies, camping along the way. Once they were empty nesters, he and Rachel spent a lot of time camping in the state parks, marveling in how beautiful Wisconsin is. Two especially memorable trips were a cruise and land tour to Alaska, and later a bus trip to Nova Scotia. He not only enjoyed traveling, but sitting outside watching the birds and wildlife right in the back yard. Van was a man of deep faith, and lived it out by serving several terms on the church council as well as many years on the Baldwin Christian School Board.

He will be deeply missed by Rachel, his wife of over 55 years, and their children; daughter-in-law, Roxy (Dave) Lind, Mary (Greg) Jacobson, Jay (Gretta) Van Someren, Jodi (Dale) Trunkel, and Tom (Andrea) Van Someren; grandchildren, Jim (Tanya) Van Someren, Jennifer (Chase) Bussie, Jason (Shana) Van Someren, Emily (Jordan) Holle, Logan (Meggen) Jacobson, Megan Jacobson, Allison, Madison, and Ethan Van Someren, Nicole (Rob) Hoody, Morgan and Michigan Trunkel, and Ashley, Hannah, and Jenna Van Someren; great-grandchildren, Connor and Nolan Van Someren, and Grace and Ella Bussie. He is also survived by his brother Harris (Sylvia) Van Someren; sister-in-law, Marilyn Wevers; brother-in-law, Rich (Sylvia) Wevers; along with many other relatives and friends.

Van was preceded in death by his son, Jim Van Someren; parents, Adrian and Dora Van Someren; in-laws, John (Grace) Wevers, Wilma (George) Anema, Ted (Frances, and Julia) Wevers, George (Helen) Wevers, and Clarence Wevers.

Van will be buried at 9:30 am on Saturday morning, November 26, 2016 at the Baldwin Cemetery. All are welcome to attend the graveside service. His grandchildren will have the honor of serving as his casketbearers. Following his burial, a 10:00am Visitation and an 11:00am Memorial Service will be held at the Baldwin Christian Reformed Church, 897 Hwy 63 in rural Baldwin. Jerry Van Someren will officiate, and Bonnie Van Someren will be the accompanist. Visitation will also be held from 4:00-7:00pm on Friday at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 1010 Newton Street in Baldwin. Memorials may be directed to the discretion of the family. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin, WI. 715-684-3434