Ver Meer, Gerald D. 1937-2002

VER MEER, KLOOSTERMAN, LOUWSMA

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/7/2005 at 19:47:30

Gerald D. Ver Meer, 65, of Knoxville, died Thursday, March 21, at his home.

His funeral service was held today, March 25, at the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella, the Rev. William D. Zeilstra officiating. Burial: Asbury Cemetery, Marion County. Memorials: Hospice of Pella or for cancer research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Gerald Dean Ver Meer was born Jan. 5, 1937, at the home of his parents, Anthony D. and Dena Kloosterman Ver Meer, in Pella. He was educated at Pella Christian Grade School. He then began working for Arie and Nellie Van Engelenhoven. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in June 1959 and served as a heavy truck driver. He was discharged in June 1965. He was living with his parents in Pella when his mother, Dena, died July 1, 1960.

On Oct. 27, 1961, he married Betty Ann Louwsma at the Second Christian Reformed Church parsonage in Pella. Skeeter and "Betts" continued living in his childhood home while working at North Pella Greenhouse. In April 1968, they moved to rural Otley. Skeeter continued working at the greenhouse until 1971, when he began driving a tank wagon. In 1978 he began working for Marvin Kooyman at Kooyman Lumber in Pella. They moved into Pella in 1988 and operated Skeeter's Car Care and The Depot. For the past 10 years they have lived in Lakeside Heights.

Skeeter retired in January 1998, then enjoyed working for the City of Pella mowing and getting the new soccer field ready for play. He was diagnosed with lymphomal leukemia in December 1998 and underwent a bone marrow transplant in February 2000 with marrow from his sister, Albertha Newendorp.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding the pontoon on Lake Red Rock, camping at the Iowa State Fair, attending car auctions and livestock shows. He was a lifelong member of the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella.

He is survived by his wife, Betts, of Knoxville; their three children, spouses and five grandchildren: Shelly Sample and Robert Schroder and Ashley Renee, Gary Matthew and Elizabeth Ann Sample of Otley, Mike and Sherry Ver Meer and Mallory Marie and Justin Dean Ver Meer of Harvey, and Marcy and Mike Kevil of Cave Creek, Ariz.; a sister, Albertha (Mrs. Elmer) Newendorp of Pella; a brother: Marvin L. (and Brenda Sue) Ver Meer of Sunrise Beach, Mo.; a sister, Delores Graff of Pella; a brother-in-law, Peter C. Van Soelen of Killduff; his stepmother, Nellie S. (Booy Spencer ) Ver Meer of Pella; a stepsister, Linda Van Kooten of Iowa Falls; a stepbrother, Robert Spencer of Pella; and from his wife's family, three sisters-in-law: Ethel Strang of Harlem, Ga., Maxine McKee of Escondido, Calif., and Lee De Bruin of Pella.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother in infancy; a sister, Gladys D. (Mrs. Pete) Van Soelen; a brother-in-law, Elmer Newendorp; a sister-in-law, Micki (Louwsma) Weatherby; two nephews: Vernon and Larry Newendorp; and a niece, Denise Graff.

The Oskaloosa Herald, March 25, 2002