Vermeer, Effie Evelyn (De Jong) 1928-2014

DE JONG, VERMEER, TILMA, DAVIS, BAGWELL, BIERSACK, NIKKEL, DAHM

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 6/27/2015 at 20:54:33

Effie Vermeer
July 23, 1928 - March 29, 2014

Effie Vermeer died Saturday, March 29, 2014, at Jefferson Place in Pella, Iowa at the age of 85 years, following a lengthy illness.

Effie Evelyn De Jong was the fifth of seven children of Garrrett D. and Rena Tilma De Jong, and was born July 23, 1928. She grew up on a farm outside of Otley, Iowa, and attended country school through the eighth grade.

She and John H. Vermeer were married on February 8, 1949; and lived on the family’s farm east of Pella, where, beginning in 1960, they developed the Pella Nursery.

Effie was a woman of deep Christian faith; and a charter member of Calvary Christian Reformed Church. She was a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed being and working outside; and was known to schoolchildren in the Pella area as the Apple Lady because of the programs she led when their classes visited Pella Nursery.

Effie and John were avid travelers, enjoying Minnesota in the summer and South Padre Island, Texas, in the winter. They took opportunities to visit Europe, South America, and even Antarctica!

Effie is survived by her husband, John H. Vermeer of Pella, daughter, Rita, and sons, Jay and Steve and their families:
Rita Vermeer Davis and Rev. Gregory Davis of Johnston, Iowa
John and Ann Davis
Augusta and Violet Effie
Greta and John Bagwell
Timothy

Jay G. and JoAnn Vermeer of Pella, Iowa
Josh and Brenda Vermeer
Ashleigh, Kyra, Jacoby, Clayton and Josie
Julie and Greg Biersack
Steven J. and Janis Vermeer of Pella, Iowa
Alicia and Zoe

Effie’s extended family includes her brother, John J. De Jong and JoAnn, her sister-in-law, Marilyn (Gerald) De Jong; and sisters-in-law, Matilda (Gary) Vermeer and Bernice (Harry) Vermeer all of Pella, Iowa; as well as nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Garrett D. and Rena De Jong; her two sisters and three brothers and their spouses: Nellie E. Nikkel, Cora J. and Arie Dahm, Dick A. and Estallene De Jong, Frank J. and Naomi De Jong, Gerald J. De Jong; her parents-in-law, Jacob (J.G.) and Anna E. Haven Vermeer; and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Elmer H. and Jay Vermeer, Gary J. Vermeer and Harry G. Vermeer.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be designated for the Pella Christian Grade School or the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa. ~ Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home, Pella, Iowa 29 Mar 2014.