Henry Berkenpas, 88, of Le Mars, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars following a brief illness.

Henry Berkenpas was born Nov. 23, 1917, on the family farm in Plymouth County, the son of Jake and Albertha (Dambrink) Berkenpas. He was baptized June 2, 1918, at the Seney United Methodist Church in Seney. He attended school in Le Mars and graduated from Le Mars High School in 1937.

Following his education, Henry was employed with Henn Electric in Le Mars. He later went to work for Friedman Implement and Clint Cambiers in Alton, as a mechanic. During these years, he lived with and cared for his parents. Henry later moved to Sioux City, and worked at Nutra-Flo. He retired from Nutra-Flo and moved to Le Mars. On Nov. 24, 1979, he married Anita Klave at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. The couple spent their retirement years in Le Mars. Henry moved to the Good Samaritan Village in Le Mars in November 2005 to live with Anita.

Henry was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. He enjoyed fishing.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Anita of Le Mars; four sisters, Dorothy and Paul Hoppe of Le Mars, Edith Renken of Le Mars, Jean Van Roekel of Orange City, and Frances Leonard of Austin, Texas; three sisters-in-law, Lillian Berkenpas of Le Mars, Joan and George Trometer of Sioux City, and Marge Berkenpas of Las Vegas, Nev.; a brother-in-law, Merlin Singer of Le Mars; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters Alice Jennings, Della Berkenpas, and Lois Singer; and five brothers Leonard, William, Norman, Arthur, and Raymond.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Gary Landsness officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday at St. John's Lutheran Church. The family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral.