Obituary of Clarence Verhoef

Clarence James Verhoef, the son of Cornelia (Post) and Cornelius Verhoef, was born in Ocheyedan, Iowa on April 6, 1939. His childhood years were spent in Sanborn, Iowa, where he attended Sanborn Christian School. He later served in the U.S. Army during peace time. He was united in marriage to Thelma Vaandrager on March 28, 1967, at the Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa. They made their home in Sanborn. In 1970, Clarence took over his father’s farming operation, and the couple moved to the Verhoef family farm north of Sanborn. Through the years Clarence’s work on the farm included grain farming, milking cows, and raising broiler chickens. He very much enjoyed being on the farm, and was an avid John Deere man. In addition to farming, he drove school bus for the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn school district for eight years. In 2001, Clarence and Thelma moved into town, but Clarence continued to be actively involved on the farm. He was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2002. With his family at this side, he passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, June 11, 2011, at the age of 72. He was a member of Sanborn Christian Reformed Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Thelma Eekhoff and Jean Hubers, and one brother, Herman Verhoef. Survivors include his wife Thelma; his three children and their families: Bethany and Edward Brands of Spirit Lake, IA, and their children, Brevin and Brianna; Amy and Mark Haken of Sibley, IA, and their children, Joshua, Matthew and Lindsey; Michael and Kristie Verhoef of Sanborn and their children, Todd and Ashley; two sisters, Leanna (LeRoy) Van De Stouwe of Rapid City, SD, and Esther (Danny) Miller of Omaha, NE; two brothers, Dr. Vernon (Nan) Verhoef of Newark, NJ, and Jerry (Deb) Verhoef of Hull, IA; a sister-in-law, Rosalee Verhoef and two brothers-in-law, John Eekhoff and Harris Hubers; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends Celebrating the life of Clarence James Verhoef Born ~ April 6, 1939 Died ~ June 11, 2011 Age ~ 72 years 2 months 5 days Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Christian Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Clergy ~ Pastor Aldon Kuiper Josh Christoffels, Seminarian Organist ~ Thelma Elgersma Pianist ~ Starla Reitsma Musical Selections “Because He Lives” ~ Congregation “Victory in Jesus” ~ Victory Voices “Blessings” CD/Video by Laura Story “How Great Thou Art” ~ Ashley Verhoef (Violin) Amy Haken (Piano) “In Christ Alone” ~ Congregation “Ninety First Psalm” ~ Josh Christoffels “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” ~ Congregation Pallbearers Henry Post Kevin Hubers David Eekhoff Jeff Verhoef Craig Verhoef Gary Vaandrager Honorary Pallbearers Todd Verhoef Ashley Verhoef Joshua Haken Matthew Haken Lindsey Haken Brevin Brands Brianna Brands Flower Attendants Sharon Solsma Joy Van Dyke Gloria Van Oort Ushers John Prins Lee Van Tol Jim Van Dyke John Vander Werff Interment Roseland Cemetery ~ Sanborn, Iowa 10:30 a.m. prior to the memorial service