Erwin 'Erv' Ray Voogd, 78

Erwin "Erv" Ray Voogd died peacefully Friday night surrounded by his wife and five children.

Erv was born on Sept. 22, 1936, in Buffalo Center, Iowa, to Alice and Pete Voogd and spent his childhood in the town.

In 1957, he met Jan Van Peursem while the two studied at Hope College in Holland, Mich. The two were married just eight months later on Oct. 25 in the Hope College Chapel.

After graduating from Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, Erv began his life's work in ministry as a pastor for Hope Reformed Church in Spencer, Iowa. From there, he spread his faith and love for the Lord in Rochester, Minn.; Des Moines, Iowa; Rock Valley, Iowa; Maurice, Iowa; Oskaloosa, Iowa; Mitchell, S.D.; and Sioux Center, Iowa.

Erv served as the director of Hope Haven in Rock Valley, Iowa, and began Hope Haven's wheelchair ministry, which has now grown into an international operation.

Erv also farmed while he and Jan raised their five children, Brenda Ellis, Beth Coker, Tim Voogd, Suzi Gausman and Alicia Sample.

After "retirement," Erv and Jan moved to the Pacific Northwest, living in both Oregon and Idaho. He lived out the rest of his life serving in the ministry wherever and whenever he could.

Erv leaves behind a legacy of unfaltering service and faith to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as a passion for loving others as Christ loves us. He is survived and missed by his wife, five children, 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as by the many people who loved and knew Erv's servant heart and kind spirit.