Louise Van Gerpen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 14th district | |
| In office October 4, 1983 – January 8, 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Roland Van Gerpen |
| Succeeded by | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Louise Irene Dykstra February 9, 1926 Tyndall, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | November 13, 2015 (aged 89) Tyndall, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Roland Van Gerpen
(m. 1947; died 1983) |
| Children | 3, including Bill |
Louise Irene Van Gerpen (née Dykstra; February 9, 1926 – November 13, 2015) was an American farmer and politician from South Dakota. Born in Tyndall, she grew up across Avon and attended the University of South Dakota–Springfield. She married Roland Van Gerpen in March 1947, and later became a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives. Following his death in June 1983, she was appointed to fill his seat in the House on October 4. She served the remainder of his term, opting not to run for re-election. While in the House, she advocated against then-governor Bill Janklow's plan to convert the University of South Dakota–Springfield to a prison. Van Gerpen died in Tyndall on November 13, 2015; governor Dennis Daugaard ordered flags at the state capitol to be flown at half-staff the day of her funeral on November 17.
Life and career
[edit]Louise Irene Dykstra[1][2] was born on February 9, 1926,[3] in Tyndall, South Dakota, to Louis J. and Ida M. (née Oorlog) Dykstra.[1] Van Gerpen grew up as a Presbyterianist with 7 siblings across Avon.[1][4] She graduated from Avon High School in 1944[2] and was a student of the University of South Dakota–Springfield.[5] Van Gerpen married Roland Van Gerpen on March 26, 1947. Together, they had three children: Bill, Danny, and Lorney.[3] Bill later became a member of the South Dakota Legislature, serving in both the Senate and House of Representatives.[6] Following her marriage, she joined the First Baptist Church of Avon and was baptized on May 27, 1951.[1] The two worked as farmers at their ranch in Avon.[3]
On July 13, 1983, Roland, while serving his second term in the South Dakota House of Representatives representing the 14th district, died in Sioux Falls from a heart attack.[7] When offered by governor Bill Janklow to fill her husband's seat, Van Gerpen originally was not interested in filling her husband's seat. However, after encouragement from legislators, she decided to accept his offer, and on October 4, Van Gerpen was appointed by Janklow as Roland's successor in the House.[8][9][10] As a member of the House, Van Gerpen served on the local government and taxation committees. She vehemently opposed Janklow's plan to convert the University of South Dakota–Springfield to a minimum security prison, calling the university "a beautiful school."[8] Van Gerpen gave her first speech in the House on February 22, 1984, during a debate on Janklow's plan, advocating against it. Although the House voted against the plan in a 31–35 vote, 10 members switched their votes, allowing the plan to be discussed again in the House.[5]: 2 The following month, Van Gerpen praised the university's sale to National College, a private school system in Rapid City.[11] In April, Van Gerpen announced that she would not seek a full term in the House.[12] Her term expired on January 8, 1985, upon the inauguration of the 60th South Dakota Legislature.[13] She was succeeded by Ann M. Lewis and Janice K. Nicolay.[14]
In October 2011, Van Gerpen moved to the Good Samaritan Society, a nursing home in Tyndall, due to declining health. She died there on November 13, 2015, at the age of 89.[1] Governor Dennis Daugaard ordered all flags at the state capitol to be flown at half-staff the day of her funeral, which was held on November 17.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Obituaries: Louise Van Gerpen". The Daily Republic. Mitchell, South Dakota. November 16, 2015. p. A6. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ a b "Avon Grads Hold Reunion". The Daily Republic. Mitchell, South Dakota. August 14, 1969. p. 8. Retrieved November 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c South Dakota Legislative Research Council, ed. (1989). Biographical Directory of the South Dakota Legislature, 1889–1989. Vol. 2, L–Z. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ "Louise Irene Van Gerpen". Peters Funeral Homes. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Bradbury, Randy (February 23, 1984). "Despite defeat again, prison plan not dead". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. p. 1, 2. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Mueller, Chris (November 6, 2012). "Van Gerpen ousts Kloucek". Mitchell Republic. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ^ "Roland VanGerpen, state legislator, dies". Lead Daily Call. Lead, South Dakota. Associated Press. July 14, 1983. p. 2. Retrieved November 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Bradbury, Randy (January 22, 1984). "Wife takes over husband's lawmaking duties". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. p. 3. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lawmaker's widow named to finish term". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. October 5, 1983. p. 3C. Retrieved November 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Widow appointed to replace husband in state House". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. Associated Press. October 5, 1983. p. 20. Retrieved November 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Swenson, Rob (March 14, 1984). "Springfield rejoices at news of sale". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1D. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "14 incumbents won't be on primary ballot". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. Associated Press. April 5, 1984. p. 2. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Janklow reports on good, bad news". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. January 8, 1985. p. 1. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kundert, Alice (ed.). South Dakota Legislative Manual (1985 ed.). pp. 55, 58. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ^ "Daugaard orders half-staff flags at Pierre for funeral of former SD legislator". The Daily Republic. Mitchell, South Dakota. November 17, 2015. p. A2. Retrieved December 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
