Achterhof, Floyd E. 1921-2004

ACHTERHOF, VANKLEY, VERMEER

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg (email)
Date: 7/21/2014 at 08:28:43

Born: January 17, 1921 Sioux Center, Iowa
Died: December 19, 2004 Rock Rapids, Iowa

Floyd E. Achterhof, 83, of Rock Rapids, formerly of Sioux Center, died Sunday, December 19, at the Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center with burial to follow at Sioux Center Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 Wed. at the Roste Funeral Home in Rock Rapids and one hour prior to service at the New Life Reformed Church.

Acterhof was born Jan. 17, 1921, at Sioux Center, the son of Ralph and Maggie (Van Kley) Achterhof. He grew up in Sioux Center and graduated from Sioux Center Public School. On June 18,1941 he married Estelle Vermeer at the home of her parents near Orange City. Following their marriage they lived at Sioux Center where he worked in furniture sales. From Dec. 1942 until Nov. 1945 he served his country in the United States Coast Guard. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Sioux Center. During his life he was self-employed and he helped to start two furniture stores. The Furniture Marts in Sioux Center and Hawarden. For the past 20 years he has worked for Hillyard Chemical Company selling cleaning supplies, retiring in 1986.

Throughout his life he was a member of the Reformed Church of America and in 1990 he became a charter member of New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center.

In Feb. 1987 he suffered a stroke that would leave him unable to walk. For 10 years he was able to stay in his home becaue of the devoted care he received from his wife. In 1997 the couple became residents of the Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids and in this way they were able to recieve the expert care he needed while being able to stay together.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Estelle of Rock Rapids; three children, Michael of Boyden, Richard of Orange City and Patricia Larsen of Phoenix, AZ; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother Eugene of Camden, Maine; two sisters-in-law Jean Achterhof of Glenwood and Charlotte Vermeer of Sioux Center.

He was preceded ini death by a daughter, Marsha Kay; brother Lawrence; and sister Florence.

Source: Sioux Center News December 2009