Obituary of Jerry Verhoef

Gerald (Jerry) Verhoef, the son of William J. and Barbara (Kaiser) Verhoef was born on October 6, 1929 at Archer, Iowa. He grew up in the Archer, Iowa, area where he attended school and graduated from High School in 1947. Jerry enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948 and served his country through December of 1949. After serving his country he worked as a carpenter and later went to work for Bilsland Equipment in Sheldon as a parts man. On April 26, 1951 Jerry was united in marriage to Marilyn Adema at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, IA. To this union four children were born, Roger, Sandra, Carol and Kim. Following their marriage the couple moved to Rock Valley, Iowa in 1952 where Jerry worked as a salesman for Van Abbema Implement. In 1953 he started traveling for American Equipment Co. in Sioux City. In 1954 the family moved to Hartley, Iowa, where Jerry worked for Ruby Implement as a Salesman. In 1956 he purchased a feed grinder and later opened a feed store. In 1960 he bought a tank wagon business that he operated until 1971. Jerry worked for Cargill selling Nutrena Feeds and operated a feed store until 1973 when he started working for FS Services in Des Moines. He later worked for C-D Farm Services until his retirement in 1998. Jerry passed away at the Community Memorial Health Center on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the age of 79. Jerry was a member of the United Methodist Church of Hartley. He served as president of the Hartley Chamber of Commerce and was MC of the Threshers Bee Parade for several years. Jerry enjoyed fishing in his younger years, playing cards spending time with his family and friends where he would tell jokes. He owned several antique vehicles over the years. Jerry and Marilyn enjoyed traveling on a lot of trips that Jerry won for being top feed salesman. Left to cherish his memory are his wife: Marilyn, for 58 years; his children: Roger (Mia) Verhoef of Pella, IA and their children, Blair, Dylan and Brady Van Waardhuizen, Sandra (Paul) DeMey, of Hartley, IA, Carol (Brad) Knock of Melvin, IA, and their children, Tracy and Katie, Kim (Jerry) Wolthuizen of Sheldon, IA, and their children Cassie, Michael and Devin; a sister: Myrna (Ray) Van Pelt of Orange City, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his in-laws: two sisters: Ardis Bornholdt and Karen Hellinga; a grand daughter: Elizebeth Faye De Boer (in infancy). A Celebration of Life Gerald William Verhoef Born ~ October 6, 1929 Died ~ September 19, 2009 Age ~ 79 years 11 months 13 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 24, 2009 United Methodist Church Hartley, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Steve Campbell Organist ~ Bonnie Linder Soloist ~ Julee Burns Special Music ~ “In the Garden” Duet ~ Howard & Darlene Tiemens Special Music ~ “Abide With Me” Processional ~ “Because He Lives” Recessional ~ “Til We Meet Again” Pallbearers Randy Menke Kenny Menke Mark Riedemann Bill Pippy Kevin Snider Danny Beek Ushers Ron Sterk Ken Smith Interment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa Military graveside rites by Arthur W. Kirchhoff Post #288 Hartley, Iowa