Veehoff, Gerritt (1921-2005)

VEEHOFF, WISSINK, REIS, HARRINGTON

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 3/8/2010 at 23:58:38

Gerritt J. Veehoff - Jan. 31, 1921 - Jan. 3, 2005

Gerritt J. Veehoff, age 83, of Fonda, Iowa, died Monday, January 3, 2005, at his home in Fonda.

Gerritt John Veehoff was born on January 31, 1921, to George and Mary (Wissink) Veehoff in Ida Grove, Iowa. He was baptized and later confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ida Grove. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake and then after moving to Fonda, a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church.

Gerritt grew up in Ida Grove and Storm Lake, Iowa. He attended school in Ida Grove before graduating from Holstein High School in 1939.

Gerritt joined the United States Navy in 1942, serving during World War II on the USS Makin Island, an aircraft carrier. He saw many major battles in the South Pacific including Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Leyte and Luzon before being honorably discharged January 9, 1946, with the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer Aviation Machinist Mate.

Gerritt spent his life working as a locksmith and a sign painter, until his retirement two years ago. He liked to play cards and Bingo, enjoyed fishing, and always had time to visit with friends, family, and neighbors. His family was special to him and he treasured his memories of all his family’s get-togethers.

Gerritt never married. However, he had a lifelong special friend, Vicki Johns.

Left to cherish his memory are his special friend, Vicki Johns, of Pekin, Illinois; brothers: Bernard Veehoff of Storm Lake, Iowa, and Joseph Veehoff of Ozark, Missouri; sisters: Helen Reis of Fonda, Iowa and Edith Harrington of Storm Lake, Iowa; many nieces and nephews, other extended family members and a host of friends.

Gerritt was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Veehoff.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 7, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery with Father Bruce Lawler as celebrant. Full Military Rites will be performed by the AMVETS Post #66. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake anytime after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2005, where there will be a Legion of Mary Rosary 3:30 and a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m.

Copyright © 2005, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
 

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