Darwin Dean Willemssen

     Darwin Willemssen, age 86 of George, IA, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in George.

     Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28th, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, where the family will be present to greet family and friends.

     Funeral services will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, with Pastor Bryan Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery of George. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery of George.

Live Stream Link: Darwin Willemssen Funeral Service

  Arrangements are in the care of the Jurrens Funeral Home of George.

  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to a charity they will later designate.

     Darwin Dean Willemssen was born on July 18, 1938, on a farm near George, Iowa, to Ulfert Earl and Mildred Violet (Johnson) Willemssen. He grew up in the George area, where he attended country school and graduated from George High School in 1956. His early years were spent working on the farm alongside his Dad, Ulfert, and his Grandpa, John. Darwin developed a lifelong passion for farming, caring for the land, working with dairy cattle, and especially their horses.

     Darwin served in the Army from 1957 to 1958 and then in the Army National Guard until his discharge in August 1964. Though he rarely spoke of it, Darwin received multiple awards for his sharpshooting skills.

     On September 11, 1959, Darwin married Lois Joyce DeJong at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George. Lois was the love of his life, and they shared a deep bond that lasted 65 wonderful years. Together, they had four children: Lori, Steve, Vicki, and David. They spent over fifty years farming east of George before moving into town in 2011.

     Darwin worked for the Farm Service Agency and served as a crop insurance adjuster, alongside farming. He attended the Tabernacle Baptist Church, where his faith was important to him. Darwin enjoyed hunting, reading, and in later years, traveling with Lois. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

     Darwin treated Lois with unwavering love and respect and was a devoted family man. He created cherished memories, not just by providing for his family, but by teaching them how to laugh and work together. He was a gifted storyteller, and his humor and wisdom will be missed by all who knew him. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, love, and laughter, and he will be deeply missed.

     Darwin is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Lois Willemssen of George, IA; four children, Lori (Mike) Schmit of Jackson, MN, Steve (Lori) Willemssen of Waverly, IA, Vicki (Brian) VerMeer of Lancaster, VA, and David (Tracy) Willemssen of Katy, TX; eleven grandchildren, Krista (Jon) Bohlen, Jonathan (Ashley) Schmit, Justin (Ashley) Schmit, Matthew Schmit, Brandon (Hannah) Schmit, Jordyn (Trapper) Woodley, Jayme Willemssen, Morgan VerMeer, Alexis VerMeer, Sarah “Evie” Willemssen, and Joshua Willemssen; ten great-grandchildren, Lydia, Julia, and Katelyn Bohlen, Emily Schmit, Madison, Kylie, and Abby Schmit, Bennett and Cora Schmit, and Addi Woodley; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Moby (Aletha) Brown, Beverly Klaassen, Janice Schneidermann, Nancy (Joe) Tunnell, Linda (Dell) Rasmussen, Audrey (Bill) Lundy, Harold (Joleen) DeJong, Karen (Jon) Walker, Greg (Sherri) DeJong, and other extended family members.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Ulfert and Mildred Willemssen; his sister, Arlis Brown; his father and mother-in-law, Hessel and Anna DeJong; and brothers-in-law Delbert Klaassen and Burdell Schneidermann.