Verlyn Dale Vermeer

Rock Rapids, Iowa

     Verlyn Dale Vermeer, age 89 of Rock Rapids, IA passed away on July 5, 2021, at Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital in Rock Rapids.

     A private family service is pending.  In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Rock River Golf & Country Club, 1344 N. Union Street, Rock Rapids, IA 51246, and/or the donor's choice.

     Verlyn was born on the family farm near Sioux Center, IA on August 1, 1931, and graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1949.  He enjoyed playing basketball and baseball during those years.  He married Mary De Haan on August 14, 1951, at Orange City, IA.  He served in the Korean War in 1953, as a member of the US Army.  After the war he completed his training at Elgin Watchmakers College in Elgin, Illinois.  Following a brief stay in Clarion, IA, he and Mary moved to Rock Rapids in 1957, where Verlyn co-owned Crown Jewelers for many years.  They retired at age 65 and were blessed to spend almost 25 years together in retirement, enjoying the fellowship of their many friends and family.

     Verlyn was active in the business community in Rock Rapids.  He was a long-time member of the First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids where he served as an Elder and in various other roles.  He enjoyed many sports, loved watching the Hawkeyes compete, and was an enthusiastic fisherman and hunter.  He was particularly fond of the game of golf and was a member of the Rock River Golf & Country Club for over 60 years.  He was also active in a number of bridge clubs.  Most of all, he was devoted to his family who will dearly miss him.

     Ver is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Frances Vermeer of Rock Rapids, IA; son, Barry (Ann) Vermeer of Minneapolis, MN, and their children Jennifer (Clark) Gregor of Minneapolis, MN and John (Eleni) Vermeer of New York City, NY.  Also, two great-grandchildren, Lydia Rosemary and Everett Robert Gregor.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Barbara Deets of Naples, Florida, and many nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Evert Vermeer and Hermina (Hoksbergen) Vermeer, his siblings Priscilla (Sam) Postma, Alice (Ed) Sneller, Gerrit (Esther) Vermeer, Esther (Lloyd) Popma, Margaret (Adrian) Scholten and his brother-in-law, Milton King Deets.