Home > United States of America > Nebraska > Antelope County > Neligh > Laurel Hill Cemetery > Dr Henry Allen “Hank” Van Kirk

Dr Henry Allen “Hank” Van Kirk

View larger map

1 / 2

2 / 2

❮ ❯

Dr Henry Allen “Hank” Van Kirk

Birth	:	29 Apr 1932 Clearwater, Antelope County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	11 Dec 2019 Winona, Winona County, Minnesota, USA
Burial	:	Laurel Hill Cemetery, Neligh, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.1391983, -98.0246964
Description	:	Dr. Henry Allen "Hank" Van Kirk, 87, of the Kensington in Winona, died December 11, 2019, in hospice care at Saint Anne's of Winona. Hank was born in Clearwater, Nebraska, April 29, 1932, to James and Zelma (Holm) Van Kirk. When Hank was 9, his family moved to Neligh, Nebraska. As a child, Hank loved his pony Prince, playing golf, and keeping his beloved parents and sister Shirley on their toes. Hank excelled in sports. He graduated high school in 1950 having achieved 12 athletic letters. Unbeknownst to his parents at the time, he also excelled in shooting pool, which... Read More	Dr. Henry Allen "Hank" Van Kirk, 87, of the Kensington in Winona, died December 11, 2019, in hospice care at Saint Anne's of Winona. Hank was born in Clearwater, Nebraska, April 29, 1932, to James and Zelma (Holm) Van Kirk. When Hank was 9, his family moved to Neligh, Nebraska. As a child, Hank loved his pony Prince, playing golf, and keeping his beloved parents and sister Shirley on their toes. Hank excelled in sports. He graduated high school in 1950 having achieved 12 athletic letters. Unbeknownst to his parents at the time, he also excelled in shooting pool, which he continued playing expertly until weeks before his death. Hank attended Doane University and Norfolk Junior College in Nebraska before serving as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Security Service as a radio intercept from 1952 to 1956. During his time in the service in England, he played football in the European Football League. He returned to the states and got his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University, Wayne, Nebraska, and his master's and doctorate in educational psychology and counseling from University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. While at Wayne, he met Alyce Buschelman of Crofton, Nebraska, on a blind date, where he impressed her by taking her to a high school basketball game that he then refereed. She reluctantly agreed to a second date. They were united in marriage March 29, 1958. Hank's early career was as a classroom teacher, guidance counselor, and coach (track and football) in Osmond and Pierce, Nebraska, and Longmont and Greeley, Colorado. He taught at Winona State University from 1968 to 1991 in the counselor education graduate program. He was incredibly proud of his many WSU students who went on to become excellent educators and counselors. He was the WSU assistant men's basketball coach from 1985 to 1989, during which the Warrior defense was ranked second in the nation. In 2002, he was 70 and enjoying retirement when he took the head boys basketball coaching position at Houston High School, Houston, Minnesota, for a single season. Despite being initially called "Coach Grandpa," by a few players, Hank led the Hurricanes to scoring records and their most-winning season in many years. He was named a Colorado Outstanding Guidance Counselor in 1967 and a Distinguished Alumnus of his high school in 2005. He was a 50-year member of First Congregational Church UCC and a longtime member of the American Legion, Westfield Golf Club, Friendship Center and the YMCA in Winona. He received his 60-year pin from the Masonic Lodge in 2014. In his spare time, Hank volunteered as a cancer support group facilitator. His hobbies included handball, golf, and tournament pool at the Winona Friendship Center. He played noon pick-up basketball with WSU students until he was well into his 70s. He loved sports, especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, and Winona State Warrior football and basketball. He also thoroughly enjoyed participating in a Freedom Honor Flight, accompanied by his grandson Sam. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Alyce (Buschelman) Van Kirk, children Kathy (Paul), Kim (Eric), Jim, and Jon (Jennifer). Brother-in-law Ken (Su) Hopkins, sisters-in-law Lou McCabe, Linda (Paul) , and Norma. Grandchildren Callie (Kelsey), Sam (Diana ), Micah, Josiah (Amy), Lydia (Chris), Abby, John Caleb and Madison P. Great-grandchildren Hayden, Briah, Camaron, Jacklin, Hunter, Ruby, Kastor, and two babies on the way. He is survived by many loving nieces and nephews including his namesake Landon Henry, and his godchild, Hannah. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Allen and Zelma Grace (Holm) Van Kirk; his sister Shirley (Van Kirk) Hopkins, his in-laws Alfred and Wanda Buschelman, Richard Buschelman, Jack and Jean (Mueller) Buschelman, and Dick McCabe, and a great-grandson Linus Theodore Krzyzanowski.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Dr Henry Allen “Hank” Van Kirk's memorial?
Dr Henry Allen “Hank” Van Kirk's memorial is located at: Laurel Hill Cemetery, Neligh, Antelope County, USA.
When did Dr Henry Allen “Hank” Van Kirk death?
Dr Henry Allen “Hank” Van Kirk death on 11 Dec 2019 in Winona, Winona County, Minnesota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Dr Henry Allen “Hank” Van Kirk's memorial?
Latitude: 42.1391983
Longitude: -98.0246964

Family Members:

Parent

James Allen “Jamie” Van Kirk

(1899 - 1973)

Zelma Grace Holm Van Kirk

(1899 - 1998)

Siblings

Shirley L. VanKirk Hopkins

(1927 - 2000)

Children

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Laurel Hill Cemetery
Neligh, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1391983, -98.0246964

2. Oakdale Cemetery
Oakdale, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0539017, -97.9721985

3. Elm Cemetery
Neligh, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1298800, -97.8634600

4. All Saints Cemetery
Clearwater, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2052994, -98.1639023

5. West Willowdale Cemetery
Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2649994, -97.9903030

6. West Cedar Valley Cemetery
Elgin, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0161018, -98.0828018

7. Saint Boniface Cemetery
Elgin, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0147018, -98.0836029

8. Clearwater Cemetery
Clearwater, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2056007, -98.1828003

9. Saint Theresa Cemetery
Clearwater, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2047005, -98.1847000

10. Concordia Lutheran Cemetery
Clearwater, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1102982, -98.2416992

11. Saint Marys Cemetery
Tilden, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0327988, -97.8538971

12. Pleasant Ridge Cemetery
Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2630997, -97.8644028

13. Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Tilden, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0400000, -97.8297000

14. IOOF Cemetery
Tilden, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0393290, -97.8290620

15. Frenchtown Cemetery
Clearwater, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2160000, -98.2445000

16. Warren Cemetery
Tilden, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0734000, -97.7952000

17. Fairview Cemetery
Clearwater, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0885300, -98.2683800

18. Danish Cemetery
Brunswick, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3219800, -97.9125700

19. Walker Family cemetery
Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2772899, -97.8145970

20. Royal Cemetery
Royal, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3363991, -98.1157990

21. Brunswick Cemetery
Brunswick, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3424988, -97.9518967

22. Elkhorn Valley Cemetery
Orchard, Antelope County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2598700, -98.2620800

23. McCoy Cemetery
Meadow Grove, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0178000, -97.7835700

24. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Holt County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1296997, -98.3210983