Obituary of Arlene Joyce Ver Mulm

    Arlene Joyce Ver Mulm, daughter of James and Dena (Guerink) Den Hartog, was born on a farm near Hospers, Iowa on August 17, 1928. She spent her youth in rural Hospers, helping her mother with the usual household chores and playing with her eight brothers and sisters. She attended the local country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Hospers High School in 1946.

    On November 14, 1952, Arlene was united in marriage to James D. Ver Mulm at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa. The couple was blessed with one son, Steven. They began their married life farming near Sheldon and Ashton, Iowa. In 1965, they purchased a farm near Hartley, Iowa where they lived and worked together for the next 23 years. In 1988, Jim and Arlene retired from farming and moved in to the town of Sanborn, Iowa.

    Arlene was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sanborn where she was a member of the Women’s Guild and participated in the Bible Studies offered at the church. She thoroughly enjoyed traveling and seeing new places, so being part of a bus tour group was a perfect fit. Camping was another favorite activity of Arlene’s, but if the weather wasn’t cooperating, an hour or two of board games were a fun thing to do with friends and grandkids. She was always interested in what her grandchildren were involved in and took great pride in going to their activities.

    Arlene passed from this life on Monday, September 17, 2018 at the age of 90. Preceding her in death were her husband, Jim Ver Mulm in 2010; her parents, James and Dena Den Hartog; one brother, Willard; and three sisters: Florence, Marian, and Ruth.       

    Left to cherish her memory are her son Steven and his wife, Kathy Ver Mulm of Le Mars, Iowa; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Seth and his wife, Missy Ver Mulm and their children: Makayla, Jonah and Hope of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Kristi and her husband, Seth Bartlett and their children: Samuel and Jonathan of Woodward, Iowa, Brent and his wife, Tracy Ver Mulm and their children: Mia and Natalie of Davenport, Iowa, Jaclyn Ver Mulm of Le Mars, Iowa and her friend, Tyler Grevengoed of Rock Valley, Iowa, Kaman Ver Mulm of Chicago, Illinois and William Ver Mulm of Le Mars, Iowa; three brothers: Robert, Elmer and Eugene Den Hartog; one sister, Edna Dykstra; sisters-in-law: Alice Den Hartog and Joyce Ver Mulm; other relatives and friends.