Mildred Vermeer

     Mildred Vermeer, age 89, of Sioux Center, IA, died Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

     Memorial service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, August 11, 2017 at the New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center, IA, with Rev. Bobby Van Otterloo officiating.

     Prayer service for family and friends will be held on Friday at 10:00 AM at the New Life Reformed Church of Sioux Center.  Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

     Mildred Louise (Gort) Vermeer was born to Jasper and Winnie Gort on October 13, 1927 in Grand Rapids Michigan.  While still an infant she moved with her family to Edna, Iowa, and then later to a farm near Doon, Iowa where she spent the majority of her childhood.  She attended country school, Doon Christian School and then on to graduate from Sioux Center Community High School in 1949 at Sioux Center, Iowa. 

     At the age of 13 Millie was involved in a terrible farm accident where she nearly lost her arm.  Her father Jasper Gort, told the doctors “you will put that arm back on” and “on” they did.  She spent nearly a month recovering in the Hull, Iowa Hospital.  She learned great patience, and strong endurance recovering from that accident that made her even stronger for the remainder of her life.

     On June 28, 1949, she married Harold B. Vermeer.  They lived their married life in Sioux Center, and were blessed with three sons – Brad, Lyle and Lance. 

     Millie did a variety of jobs over the years.  She was a cook at Sioux Center Community Schools, a bookkeeper at Farmers Coop Society, Sioux Center Sale Barn, Coop Produce, Center Mill, Dr. Groff Veterinary Office, and finished her career as a book keeper at Sioux Automation Center in Sioux Center, Iowa.

     For her pass time Millie enjoyed playing cards, playing piano, and raising roses in her garden, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family.  She was a true US patriot – she loved the United States of America and wore red, white and blue proudly.  She was a faithful Christian and used her talents teaching Sunday school and Catechism.  After retirement, she enjoyed leading Bible studies and doing chapel services at Royale Meadows Retirement Home and Franken Manor.  Harold and Millie spent many winters volunteering at Cook Theological School in Arizona, 3 months in India helping Stan and Darlene Vander Aarde, Brewton Alabama, and helping at Apache, Oklahoma and Mescalero, NM.  She also received great satisfaction helping others through Hospice for 27 years. Walking and caring for others in hurtful journeys.    

     Left behind to cherish her memory is Harold her husband of 68 years, and her children Brad and Glenda Vermeer, Lyle and Joyce Vermeer, Lance Vermeer and friend Carol Yacko, 7 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     In lieu of flowers family prefers memorials be directed to:  Sioux Center Health Hospice and Home Care.