VerHoef Bernard 1905-1977

VERHOEF, TEGROTENHUIS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/6/2010 at 10:07:44

Sioux City News Jan 12, 1977

Bernard Ver Hoef, veritable founder of Ver Hoef Chevrolet, died Friday (Jan. 7, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital. He had been interviewed by the News for Ver Hoef's Grand Opening last March 27. At the time, he said, he "never thought I'd see this," when asked to comment on the new facilities completed then.

Services for the 71 year old Ver Hoef, were held Monday (Jan 10) at 10:30 a.m. at the Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center. The Rev. Wesley Kiel officiated. Burial was at the Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sioux Center.

Mr. Ver Hoef was born Sept.8, 1905, in Boyden. He married Alvina Te Grotenhuis, June 19, 1930, in Hull. In the midst of the Great Depression, Bernard began his auto dealership. "It was a tough time for awhile," he told the News. Along with his brother Sam, the two began an associate dealership. As a result, Ver Hoef became the first and only Chevrolet dealership in the Sioux Center area. Bernard operated the dealership until 1967. Before his retirement, he was a former member of the local school board and former member of the Northwestern College board of trustees.

Survivors include the widow; two sons Arnold and Bruce, both of Sioux Center; a daughter, Mrs Hoyt (Mary) Acuff of Ames; Three brothers Walter and Clarence, both of Sioux Center, and Sam of Rock Valley; a step-brother, Gerrit Roetman of Boyden; a sister, Mrs. Gerrit (Jennie) Brinks of Boyden; three step-grandchildren and three step-great grandchildren.