Vermeer, Wallace L. 1928-2013

VERMEER, BORGMAN, VONK

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/1/2013 at 17:49:58

Wallace L. Vermeer
July 2, 1928 ----March 19, 2013

Dr. Wallace Vermeer, 84, of Orange City, died on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona from an acute case of leukemia and related respiratory complications.

There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, April 2, at 10:30am, at the First Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Timothy Breen will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City..

Wallace Lee was born in Sioux Center, Iowa, on July 2, 1928, the son of Evert E. and Alida (Borgman) Vermeer. Three years later, his father died, leaving behind eleven children. With the support of his mother and extended family members, Wally was raised to work hard, to pursue knowledge, and to place his trust in God. These attributes guided him as he graduated from Sioux Center High School and went on to attend Northwestern College and Westmar College, earning a bachelor’s degree in science. He pursued graduate education at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan and at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, where he received his doctor’s degree in 1956.

On August 9, 1951, Wallace married JoAnne Helena Vonk in Carmel, Iowa. In their early married life, Wally and JoAnne lived in several places, including Ames, Iowa; Hull, Iowa; Holland, Michigan; Galva, Illinois; and Annville, Kentucky. They eventually settled in Orange City in 1964, where Wally (“Doc”) led a successful veterinary practice. He was active in the First Reformed Church, where he taught adult Sunday School for more than four decades and served several terms on the church consistory as an elder. He also led home Bible studies and preached at various churches. He had a keen interest in politics and current events, frequently writing letters to the editor on various topics. He was an avid sports fan and dedicated golfer. But Wally was best known for his character, patience, steadiness, and loving spirit.

Wally was a dedicated husband and father. He and JoAnne had five children and eight grandchildren: Greg, who is now deceased, his wife Kim (St. Petersburg, Florida) and two children, Leah and her husband Ted Yeatts, and Thomas; Brent (Phoenix, Arizona) and his wife Heidi; Barry (Brisbane, Australia), his wife Jane and son Brendan; Dan (Chapel Hill, North Carolina), his wife Saritha and two children, Luke and Maya; and Julie (Malvern, Pennsylvania), her husband Greg Elliott and three children, Victoria, Annalise, and Micah. JoAnne and Wally enjoyed traveling to spend time with their children and grandchildren.
Wally had ten loving siblings, including Aldine Van Roekel, Mildred Schutt, Hester Black, and Irwin Vermeer, who are deceased. Surviving siblings include Edna Van Roekel (Fulda, MN), Loyd Vermeer (Sioux Center, IA), Elnor Niffenegger (Lexington, KY), Cynthia Kaskey (Aurelia, IA), E. Wayne Vermeer (Palm Harbor, FL), and Ruth Bonnema (Orange City, IA). He was preceded in death by his son, Gregory, and by his wife of 61 years, JoAnne, who passed away on December 14, 2012.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home, Orange City, IA., obit.