Roorda, Vernon Willard 1915-2002

ROORDA, VANDER LINDEN, GRANDIA

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/7/2005 at 20:05:29

PELLA - Vernon Willard Roorda, 87, of Pella, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Park Centre Health Care Center in Newton.

His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Reformed Church in Pella, the Rev. Kenneth A. Dykstra officiating. Burial: Graceland Cemetery in Pella with military honors. Memorials: First Reformed Church of Pella for mission projects or the organ renovation fund. Visiting hours are open today and all day Friday at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella, with family receiving visitors 6:30-8 p.m. Friday at First Reformed Church in Pella.

Vernon Willard Roorda was born Aug. 21, 1915, in Pella to Luke J. and Marie Vander Linden Roorda. He attended country grade school near Pella and worked as a farm hand as a youth. He then worked at Plette Grocery Store until being drafted into the United States Army.

He married Beulah Maxine Grandia on Oct. 7, 1942, just before leaving for military duty. Vern served as a truck driver during construction of the Alaskan Highway in Canada. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant on Nov. 6, 1943, with total disability; he then returned to Pella. He worked as a teller at Marion County State Bank for 41 years, retiring in 1986. He also was caretaker at Graceland Cemetery for 31 years. During later years he helped his sons at teh grain elevator during harvest.

He enjoyed gardening, playing cards and golfing with friends in his later years. He also enjoyed riding his bike to work and making homemade ice cream. He and Beulah often traveled with their children, relatives and friends, and made trips to Holland and Alaska. In June 2001, Vern moved to Park Centre Care in Newton.

He was a member of First Reformed Church in Pella, where he was a deacon and an elder, and was church treasurer for 28 years. He also served one term on Pella City Council. He was a member of Van Veen-Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella, and was the finance officer for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Beulah M. Roorda of Pella; three children and spouses: Stanley E. and Judy Van Essen Roorda of Pella, Kaith W. and Linda Van Wyk Roorda of Monroe, and Gayle D. and Charles Stotts of Boone; six grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; a sister-in-law, Agnes (Mrs. Marion) Roorda of Pella; and Beulah's siblings and spouses: Ardella and William G. Gosselink of Pella, and Ronald and Dorothy Grandia of Newton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Robert L., Reuben and Marion L. Roorda.

The Oskaloosa Herald, December 27, 2002