Varenhorst, Bill F. 1911-2001

VARENHORST, LUDWIGS, ALVORD, PENNINGTON, BORCHERS

Posted By: Doris Hoffman (email)
Date: 3/3/2009 at 15:15:05

William “Bill” Varenhorst

William “Bill” Franz Varenhorst, 89, of Le Mars, died Sunday, Feb. 11 2001, at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

William Franz Varenhorst was born Dec. 8, 1911, on the family farm near Craig, the son of Henry R. and Aldena (Ludwigs) Varenhorst. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Craig, and was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, rural Merrill. He attended country school in Preston Township.

On Sept. 26, 1935, William and Helen Alvord were united in marriage at the Fred Kuehn home. The couple farmed in Washington Township from 1935 to 1974 before they retired and moved to Le Mars. Helen died Feb. 21, 1987. During his retirement years he mowed lawns and did carpentry work. He enjoyed traveling, playing cards, dancing and visiting. On Oct. 2, 1988, William married Ruth (Pennington) Borchers in Le Mars.

William will be lovingly remembered by his wife Ruth of Le Mars; three daughters: Geraldine Ahrendsen and her husband, Alfred, of Le Mars, Marlene Bardett and her husband, Allen, of Pecos, Texas and Bonnie Ruether and her husband, Richard of Le Mars: four granddaughters: Annette Ahrendsen, Carla Robert and her husband, Richard, Sar Ruether and her fiancé Mike Gazafy and Kayla Ruether; a grandson Jeff Bardette and his wife, Kim: two great-grandchildren, Sophie Roberts, and Zachary Gazafy; a brother Norma and his wife, Lois, of Le Mars; a sister, Beverly Jurgenson and her husband, Robert, of Sioux City; three sisters-in-law, Katherine Varenhorst Eva Varenhorst and Cleone Varehorst, all of Le Mars; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; a step-mother Elsie; an infant daughter; a grandson, William Bardett, and infant brother; four brothers Fritz, Erwin, Harry and Elmer; and a sister-in-law, Myrna Varenhorst.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, rural Merrill, with the Rev. Curtis Matson officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5 to 8 p.m. and there will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Le Mars Daily Sentinel
Tuesday, February 13, 2001
Le Mars, Iowa