Virgil John Tinklenberg

Virgil John Tinklenberg, 85, was born in Rock County, MN to Sam (Simon J.) and Hattie (DeJong) Tinklenberg June 20, 1933.  He graduated from Edgerton High School, and joined the US Army before marrying Beverly Faye Ten Cate March 2, 1954.  

The couple settled in Sioux Falls, SD where Virgil graduated from the Sioux Falls College with a bachelor’s degree in social work.  He began his career in urban renewal, later becoming the Director of the Sioux Falls Housing Authority.  He went on to become influential on the national level, being a member of NAHRO (National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials) and HAI (Housing Authority Insurance).  Virgil was a founding member of PHADA (Public Housing Authority Directors Association), serving as its President from 1987-1989.  He served as an ethic’s advisor on a congressional housing committee reporting the Cabinet Housing Secretary, Jack Kemp and Vice-President Dan Quayle, following the infamous HUD scandal.  In 1988 he retired for medical reasons, but acted as a consultant for cities around the country struggling to keep their subsidized housing programs afloat.  While assisting the housing unit in Panama City, FL, he found the climate moderated his pain and accepted the position of Housing Director of Panama City, where the couple enjoyed living for 28 years.

Virgil served as an elder at 1st CRC, Sioux Falls and Covenant PCA, Panama City.  For many years he led young men as a Cadet Counselor and even had the privilege of being the Cadet National Camporee director in the Black Hills. In honor of outstanding service, the Calvinist Cadet Corps awarded Virgil the blue star for his service on the council level and a gold star for ministry in the international Corps.  He was also a Bible Study Fellowship discussion leader and enjoyed mission trips to Liberia, Mexico, China, and Guatemala. During his retirement years, Virgil continued his passion for missions serving as the volunteer president and primary fund raiser for ITEM (International Theological Education Ministries).

Virgil and Beverly moved to Spokane, WA February, 2017.  Shortly thereafter, Beverly was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and the Lord called her home June 19, 2017.  Virgil later lived with his eldest son and daughter-in-law for seven months in Spokane, WA.  During a visit to California, his health failed, and on June 27 he was diagnosed with advanced cancer. The Lord called Virgil to heaven on July 4 at the VA hospice center in Palo Alto, CA.

Virgil & Beverly are lovingly remembered by their three sons and their wives: Perry and Kathy of Spokane, WA, Roy and Esther of Mountain View, CA, Jay and Kathy of Arlington, TX; eight grandchildren and spouses: Laura and Matthew Lanser, Michael and Jena, Bethany, Benjamin, Brooke, Jacob, Jaris, and Janae; five great-grandchildren: David, Micah, Ezra, Alayna, and Nolan; Beverly’s brothers: Jim and Nancy Ten Cate of Sioux Falls, SD, Robert and Sandy Ten Cate of Sioux Falls, SD, Orlin and Alyce Ten Cate of Spring Lake, MI; Harold’s wife Donna Ten Cate, of Sibley, IA; and Virgil’s sisters: Curt and Kathy Walhof of Edgerton, MN, and Linda and Wally Bork of Rapid City, SD, Hank and Ardy Bartel, Rochester, MN.  Preceding the couple in death: great-granddaughter Aliza Grace Lanser, Virgil’s siblings: Jean Bartel, Marvin and Joyce Tinklenberg,  Bev’s siblings: Harold and Bernice Ten Cate, Carl and Yvonne Grove.

All memorial gifts will be donated to International Theological Education Ministries (www.ITEM.org).

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