Doud, V. J. 1923-2005

DOUD, ORBAN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/30/2007 at 13:25:09

LE MARS, Iowa -- Verdon "V.J." Doud, 81, of Le Mars passed away peacefully Monday, May 16, 2005, at his residence following a lengthy illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Kevin Richter officiating. Burial will be in Le Mars Calvary Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 of Le Mars. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. Thursday, with a rosary at 4 p.m., a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus rosary at 8 p.m., all at the church. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Verdon "V.J." Doud was born Nov. 14, 1923, in Oyens, Iowa, the son of Jacob and Kathryn (Orban) Doud. He grew up in the Oyens area and attended St. Catherine's Elementary School in Oyens and graduated from St. Mary's Parochial School in Remsen, Iowa, in 1941.

He entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and served his country during World War II, in the Italian Theater in Italy. He received the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Victory Medal and three Purple Heart Medals. He returned to the Oyens area and was employed with the Oyens Co-op Elevator and later completed a course in journalism at the University of Iowa.

He and June Schnepf were married Nov. 10, 1948, at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Merrill, Iowa. He had been employed at the Fairfield Daily Ledger and the Le Mars Globe Post as a linotype operator and later with the Sioux City Journal as their head letter operator, until 1972. He then was employed with the Sherwin Williams Store in Le Mars for a couple of years. In 1974, the couple purchased the Bel air Motel in Le Mars, which they operated until 1984 when they retired.

He was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where he served as an usher, lector and communion minister. He was a Third Degree life member of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council 1466 of Le Mars. He also was a 58-year member of the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 and a member of their World War II "Last Man's Club." He was an avid bowler and was active in several leagues in the community. He enjoyed all sports and was an ardent Hawkeye fan.

Survivors include his wife, June of Le Mars; three children, Nancy and her husband, Dwight Metcalf of Sergeant Bluff, Mike Doud of Sioux Center, Iowa, and Sue and her husband, Randy Burns of Sioux City; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ralph Doud; and two sisters, Carlyn Graff and Luella Delperdang.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obituary Collection; source: Sioux City Journal]