Alice Jane (Van Dam) Van Essen was born on May 31, 1930 to Gerrit and Dorthy (Kooiman) Van Dam on a farmstead in SW Minnesota.  Alice enjoyed her youth living and working with her family, always loving the outdoors!  On May 12, 1950, Alice was united in marriage to Harold Van Essen and together they farmed for many years west of Edgerton, Minnesota.  Alice loved her garden and flowers, along with helping on the dairy and caring for her family.  In her spare time she enjoyed sewing clothes for herself and her children.  After retirement, Alice loved volunteering at the thrift store in Worthington and at Edgebrook. They enjoyed their winter for many years going to California, visiting their family there.  Above all, Alice loved her Lord and was committed to serving in many ways within her church family to Christian education for all of her children.  Alice passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton at the age of 86 years, seven months, and six days.

Left to cherish her memory are her six children, Judy (Duane) Pals of Orange City, Iowa, Gary (Dede) Van Essen of Artesia, California, Beth (Mark) Sas of Edgerton, Calvin (Rita) Van Essen of North Port, Florida, Darwin (Sue) Van Essen of Edgerton, and Kathy (Ken) Solomon of Artesia, California; 20 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Wilma Grootwassink, Dorthy Van Essen, Gertrude (Harold) Jasper all of Edgerton, and Carol (Marvin) Struiksma of Artesia, California; one brother, Rev. Harry (Carolyn) Van Dam of Edgerton; also her in-laws, Frank (Hermina) Joustra and Lloyd and Lavonne Van Essen of Edgerton.  Welcoming her home to heaven are an infant daughter, Karen Lee; her husband, Harold; parents, Gerrit and Dorthy Van Essen; a daughter-in-law, Lila Van Essen; and many other family and friends.

Memorials may be directed to First Christian Reformed Church of Edgerton.