Frederick William “Bill” Van Beek, Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Volga on Monday, June 15, 2026. Visitation will be at First Reformed Church of Volga on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A celebration of life service will be held at First Reformed Church of Volga on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Bill was born November 3, 1946, the youngest of 11 children, to Frederick and Hattie “Nettie” (Hoogeboom) Van Beek at Volga, SD. He was raised on several farms in the Volga area and attended Volga Christian School. Bill graduated from Volga High School in 1964, where he was active in music and FFA. He attended Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA, and graduated from meat cutting school in Iowa in 1967.

On May 10, 1968, he married Sheryl Vostad in Volga. The couple moved to Escondido, CA, and welcomed their children Michele and Kelly while living there. In 1971 they moved back to the Volga-Sinai area when he owned and operated the Sinai Locker. In 1982 the family moved into Volga. Bill began driving school bus and working at Farmers Propane in Arlington, where he managed the business until he started driving tour bus. He drove for several bus companies, where in four years he drove through 49 states, the District of Columbia, and every Canadian province. Some of his favorite trips involved visiting Washington state, Canada, and Branson, as well as the bus trips his grandchildren were a part of. He was especially proud to have received an Honorary State FFA degree from the South Dakota FFA Association in 2014 for his support of the program and his service in driving students to and from conventions for many years.

Music was always instrumental in his life. Next to his family, music was Bill’s greatest joy. He sang in and directed multiple choirs and small groups and especially enjoyed singing in church. His version of “The Lord’s Prayer” was a staple at many family weddings. He never met a stranger and seemed to know someone everywhere he went. Bill and Sherry were blessed to winter in southern Texas for four years in retirement.

Bill is survived by his wife Sheryl of Volga, daughter Michele (Steven) Strande of Lake Preston, and son Kelly (Stacey) Van Beek of Brookings; grandchildren Anthony, Allison, Allen (Kenli), Austin (McKenna), Sydney, and Grace; great-grandchildren Hazel and Clara; sisters Vi (John) Brastrom and Janet Clapp; and in-laws Kent (Karen) Vostad and Jeff (Laura) Vostad.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Cora, Alice, Charles, Coenraad, Wilhelmina, Harriett, Gertrude, and Geraldine; and several in-laws.