Lubbers, Verne (1908-1997)

LUBBERS, REID, PTACEK, MOODY, SLOCUM

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 1/16/2015 at 06:24:17

Daily Freeman Journal, Monday, July 28, 1997

Longtime business owner dies

This weekend one of Webster City's long time residents and respected businessmen passed away. Verne Lubbers, age 89 of Webster City died at the Hamilton Hospital on Saturday.

Mr. Lubbers graduated from Webster City High School in 1927, and after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he became a partner in Lehnard's Clothing, and shortly after that founded Lubber's Clothing in Webster City.

Lubbers is remembered as a very active member of the community and a honest businessman.

Mayor Gus Dermand remembers that he purchased his first suit from Lubbers, after returning from World War II.

"I was always very fond of Mr. Lubbers." he said. "He was very customer oriented. As soon as you walked in the door you were recognized immediately."

"He was just a real doer in the community," Kolleen Taylor, ABI Chamber director remembers. She said it is hard to loose someone that involved, no matter what their age.

Mr. Lubbers retired in 1977. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Verne Lubbers, 89, Webster City, died Saturday, July 26, 1997 at Hamilton Hospital. Services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Webster City with Rev. Steve Hall officiating.

Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery with military rights provided by American Legion Post 191. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Foster Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.

Verne Lubbers, son of Lubbert and Wendelena Lubbers, was born Jan. 13, 1908 in Piatt County, Ill. In 1912, his father purchased a farm northeast of Webster City where he lived until 1917 when the family moved to Des Moines Street in Webster City. He graduated from Webster City High School in 1927 after an active sports career in football, basketball and track. He then entered the clothing business and served his apprenticeship in Webster City and Rockwell City. He married the former Helen Reid of Sioux City on July 30, 1935. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy and returned to Webster City in 1945 to become a partner in Lehnard's Clothing. In 1950 he founded Lubber's Clothing in Webster City, which he ran until his retirement in 1977.

He is survived by three sons, Dick and wife Barbara and Mike and wife Laurie, all of Webster City, and Phil and wife Sue, Thomasville, Ga.; two daughters, Linda and husband John Ptacek, Nevada, and Janet and husband Bill Moody, Webster City; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sisters, Anna Slocum and Wendelena; brothers Clifford and Elston; a grandson Reid Lubbers; and a granddaughter, Sarah Lubbers.

Among his many civic contributions to the community, Mr. Lubbers served as Chamber of Commerce president, a member of the Webster City School Board, ICCC School Board member, Fuller Hall Board of Directors member, a founder of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and a member of American Legion Post 191. He was also a member of the saddle club, Eastern Star, Rotary Club, BPOE, Moose Lodge, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine and the Webster City Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be directed to Za-Ga-Zig Shrine or the Episcopal church of the Good Shepherd.