Don Verrips

Donald Verrips, 66, of Richwood, KY, formerly of Sioux Center, IA, died unexpectedly Monday, May 25, 2015, at his Richwood, KY residence. A visitation with the family present will be held prior to the service on Saturday, June 6 from 9:30-10:30AM at Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 6 at 10:30AM at Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. R. Van Rathbun officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. Don was born on December 15, 1948 to Gary and Gladys (Abma) Verrlps In Orange City, Iowa. Joined by his brother Stan in 1950 the family resided in Sioux Center, Iowa until 1956 when his parents purchased a vacation resort on Big Sandy Lake near McGregor, Minnesota. The family lived there, working as a team to manage and operate the resort for many happy and adventurous years with this unique lifestyle. At an early age around 1952, Don contracted polo. With a strong will, unmatched determination and "Dutch" stubbornness, that all who knew him greatly admired, he fought this disease. He never lost his will to succeed or his sense of humor which was uniquely his alone. He excelled in school and graduated high school in 1967. After which he furthered his education in Computer Science and became a computer programmer. As a programmer he worked for a number of years for G.H. Tennant Co. in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Later with Heinz Food Corporation in California, Don excelled in his field, as solving complex problems was an enjoyable task for him. He was transferred to Richwood, Kentucky with Heinz where he later retired and resided until his recent passing. For a number of years he shared his home with his parents during their retirement until they moved back to Iowa, still managing their personal and financial affairs with expertise. Don loved the outdoors. He and his brother spent many enjoyable days together fishing in the summer, hunting in the fall and riding snowmobiles in the winter, never letting the battle with polio rob him of enjoying life to the fullest. In later years, he traveled to Idaho to join in a hunting trip with his brother Stan and several friends. Even though by this time he had difficulty walking and getting around without the use of a walker, he went tent camping and hunting in a remote mountainous area nearly 60 miles from civilization. Not only that but he followed through with the processing and freezing of the meat at the conclusion of the 10 day trip; it never occurred to him to use his disability as an excuse not to pitch in and do his part. When Don made friends, they were friends for life. His unique sense of humor and determination to enjoy life despite his challenges made Don (Donny to some of us) a true "one of a kind". He will always hold a special place in the hearts of all his family and friends who loved him. Don is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Sylvia Verrips of Boise, Idaho; nephew, Jesse (Casandra) Verrips of Boise, Idaho; niece, Lael (Joshua) McKernan of Sioux City, Iowa; a great niece and four great nephews: Richard, Laney, Henry, Thomas and Blake along with several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gary and Gladys Verrips.