Obituaries

Mrs. Helen Eldridge, age 90, of Orange City, passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2012, at the Bickford Cottage in Sioux City.

There will be a funeral service on Monday, September 10, at 10:00am, at the American Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Keith Krebs will officiate. There will be a graveside service on Monday, at 1:30pm, at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Ruthven.

Visitation with the family will be the hour before the service on Monday at the church.

Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Vera R. De Beer age 92 of Rock Rapids, IA died Monday, September 3, 2012 at the Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center in Rock Rapids, IA.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, Sept. 6th at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Dan Haggar officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel Reformed Cemetery near Ellsworth, MN.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept. 5th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids, IA.

Vera Rose Wiertzema was born on March 9, 1920 in Midland Township, Lyon County, the daughter of Henry and Johanna (Aeilts) Wiertzema. As a youth she was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Reformed Church near Ellsworth, MN. In 1964 she joined the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA. She attended country school in Midland Township.

On May 1, 1943 Vera was united in marriage to William “Bill” De Beer in North Carolina. While Bill was stationed in the U.S. Army Vera was employed by Merrill Pioneer Hospital as a laundress. She remained there for thirty years. Vera was an active member of the First Reformed Church. She was a willing volunteer and member of the Ladies Circle and RCWM. In April of 2000 Vera’s husband, Bill died after 57 years of marriage. Vera remained active through the years with church events and other community activities. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family over a cup of coffee. On May 27, 2007, Vera became a resident of Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rock Rapids, IA. This past Monday, September 03, 2012 Vera died there at the age of ninety-two.

Vera is survived by two brothers, Verdell (Glenda) Wiertzema of Bigelow, MN and Verdean “Sam” (Joan) Wiertzema of Boyden, IA; and sisters-in-law, Fidelas Wiertzema of Sheldon, IA, Ida De Beer of Ellsworth, MN and Audrey De Beer of Rock Rapids, IA; along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Vera in death were her parents, husband, Bill and two brothers, Verdus and Vernon Wiertzema.

Blessed be the memory of Vera De Beer.