Rev. Lester W. Van Essen, age 87, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 15, 2023. He was born on July 25, 1935 and raised near Leota, Minnesota, one of eleven children born to William and Hattie Van Essen. A graduate of Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary, Rev. Van Essen served as a missionary for Christian Reformed World Missions in Nigeria for 20 years. He went on to serve as the pastor of Immanuel CRC in Burbank, Illinois for 11 years, and First Lansing CRC in Lansing, Illinois for nearly 9 years before retiring in 2002. In his retirement years, he continued his service as an interim pastor in churches throughout the country. Rev. Van Essen was a devoted, passionate servant of the Lord, who faithfully led the people entrusted to his care. His Christ-like example will be remembered by his wife of 61 years, Elaine; their children, David (Elena) Van Essen, Evonne (Rodney) Ludema, John (Holly) Van Essen, Joel (Christine) Van Essen, and Daryl (Anna) Van Essen; their 17 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; his surviving siblings, Cynthia DeBoer, Ivan (Barb) Van Essen, and Glen (Jeri) Van Essen, as well as a brother-in-law, John Beukelman, and three sisters-in-law, Marian (Dave) Young, LaVonne Last, and Mary Last; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:45 AM at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 7171 Willard Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the funeral service celebrating Rev. Van Essen's faith and life in Christ will take place at 12:00 noon Saturday. Rev. Mark Neymeiyer will be officiating. The service will be livestreamed on the church website: www.covenant-crc.org .