Verdoorn, Diana, Mrs. Cornelius, 1910-2005

VERDOORN, LUCHTENBURG, VANWECHEL

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/9/2012 at 19:07:32

Diana Verdoorn
Nov. 30, 1910--Aug. 14, 2005

Diana Verdoorn, 94, Ashton, died Sunday, Aug. 14, 2005, at Sibley Nursing & Rehab Center.

Graveside services will begin 9:30 a.m. today (Wednesday, Aug. 17) at Walton-Roste Funeral Home in Ashton and will proceed to Gilman Township Cemetery in Ashton at 9:45 a.m. for burial. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. today at First Reformed Church in Sibley, with the Rev. Gary Van Heukelom and the Rev. Kevin Karhoff officiating.

Diana Verdoorn, daughter of Harry and Carrier (Van Wechel) Luchtenburg, was born Nov. 30, 1910, on the family farm near Orange City. She was raised on the farm and attended country school. She graduated from Orange City High School in 1928 and received her degree as a registered nurse from the Methodist School of Nursing in 1932. She worked at several area hospitals and as an on-call nurse for area doctors, assisting with home deliveries.

She married Cornelius Verdoorn on Feb. 22, 1934. They first resided in George. They moved to Ashton in 1943. They purchased the Verdoorn Nursing Home in Ashton in 1953 and operated it for 19 years, during which time she served as head of nursing and he served as administrator of the nursing home. They sold the nursing home in 1973 and Diana volunteered at what is now Village Northwest Unlimited in Sheldon as a mender, patching the clothing for the residence. Mr. Verdoorn died Nov. 15, 1997, with her at his side. She continued to live in Ashton until 2002, when she moved to the Sheldon Christian Retirement Home. She entered Bee Hive Homes in Sheldon a short time later. She entered Sibley Nursing & Rehab Center on Oct. 1, 2004.

She was a member of First Reformed Church in Sibley, Ben Hoffman Post 290, American Legion Women's Auxiliary of Ashton and the Ashton 100 Club. Her children remember her as a giving and caring person with a tremendous work ethic.

Survivors include two children, Larry and Alfreda Verdoorn of Ashton, and Carolyn and Richard Belgrad of Ashland, VA; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, John Zevenberger of Baldwin, WI.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius Verdoorn; three brothers; five sisters; and a grandson, Stan Belgrad.

Source: Sheldon Mail Sun, August 17, 1905.
The obituary includes a photograph.