John Den Besten

John Den Besten was born Oct. 1 1920, in Doon, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm, until he joined the Army for World War II, where he was a combat engineer. He fought in the battles of the Aleutian Islands, Eastern Mandates and the Southern Philippines Ryukyus. He was married to Helen Marie Bergheim on Dec. 31, 1949, in Pipestone, Minn. He farmed in numerous states and later was employed by Everitt Companies in Fort Collins, until he retired. He is survived by his son, Gary Den Besten of Fort Collins; and daughters, Marian Henningson of Parker, Joan Lehr of Fort Lupton, and Marlene Price of Windsor. He has one brother, William Den Besten, Rock Rapids, Iowa; and three sisters, Ellen Van Den Top, Lynden, Wash., Hennrietta Kamminga, Kentwood, Mich., and Adrianna Den Besten, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He has 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; a son, Delvern; a grandchild, Erik Nathaniel Price; and a brother, Bernard Den Besten. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Loveland Protestant Reformed Church, 707 E. 57th St. in Loveland. A graveside service with military honors by the Fort Collins All Veterans Honor Guard, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Highland Cemetery in Wellington. Those who desire may view Mr. Den Besten between noon and 4 p.m. Wednesday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel in Fort Collins. Contributions may be made to the Diabetes Foundation in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com .