Frank H. Van Lin, Sr.

Frank Van Lin, Sr. of La Crescent, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023, less than two months before his 103rd birthday. He lived independently in his own home until 2022 and was often seen driving his “little red car” around town. Frank was born to Jacobus and Johanna (Verheggen) Van Lin in Overasselt, Holland on January 2, 1921. He was the middle child of nine siblings and lived the longest of his brothers and sisters. In the Netherlands, he studied horticulture and later taught this as well as orchard-growing methods. He married Helen (Helena) Derix on October 4, 1949, in the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Wychen. With their three eldest sons, Frank and Helen emigrated to America in 1954. They settled in Minnesota where he helped manage local apple orchards in the La Crescent area. They purchased land on South Ridge where in 1958, they started the Van Lin Apple Orchard, which is still in the family today. Frank introduced the first commercial dwarf tree nursery in America with roots imported from Holland. He also introduced the first low volume/high concentrate mist blower. An avid collector of antiques and tools, many of Frank’s items are on display at the La Crescent Area Historical Society and at the Houston County Historical Society in Caledonia, Minnesota. Frank received the Heritage Award from the La Crescent Historical Society for his contributions to the Apple Museum. He also received the honor of being selected as the 2018 La Crescent Applefest Man of the Year.

Frank is survived by his nine children; John (Wanda) Van Lin, Mark (Sharon) Van Lin, Jack Van Lin, Dorothy (Paul) Solberg, Frank (Lori) Van Lin, Greg (Amy) Van Lin, Dan Van Lin, Joyce Van Lin, and Rick Van Lin; sixteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and also his many nephews and nieces in Holland.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, on April 11, 2014; his daughter-in-law, Debbie Van Lin, on May 6, 2023; and former daughter-in-law, Theresa Van Lin, on December 23, 2020.

The family would like to thank Frank’s long-time personal physician and friend, Dr. Peter Franta from Mayo Clinic Health System, and the caring staff at Valley View Health Care in Houston, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 1, 2023, at Crucifixion Catholic Church in La Crescent, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to mass at the church. Rev. John L. Evans, II will officiate and burial will be held at Crucifixion Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and can be directed to the Activities Department at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab, 510 Cedar St., Houston, MN 55943.