Frank Ver Meer

Frank Ver Meer, 86, of rural Boyden, IA died Thursday, December 10, 2009, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital.

A funeral service will be held Saturday at 2PM at First Reformed Church of Boyden with Rev. Matthew Draffen officiating. Interment will follow in Sheridan Township Cemetery of Boyden.

Visitation will be held at the First Reformed Church of Boyden on Friday from 4-8PM with the family present from 6-8PM.

Arrangements entrusted to the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

Frank Ver Meer discovered at an early age how rewarding a hard days work could be. He worked with his hands and was involved in agriculture his entire life. The son of Edward and Jennie (Vander Maten) Ver Meer, he was born March 7, 1923 on the family farm near Boyden, Iowa. As a boy Frank attended a country school and the Boyden Christian School through the eighth grade. He then began farming with his father. Later at the age of 74 he realized a lifelong desire to further his education by obtaining his high school equivalency from NCC in Sheldon.

On June 18, 1946, Frank married Esther Evelyn Kleyne in Boyden. The couple settled on the family farm northeast of Boyden. Frank enjoyed the farming lifestyle and felt thankful for all it provided. After retiring, he and Esther continued living on their farm place and Frank spent summers working for Greenworld in Sioux Center.

Frank was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church of Boyden where he served terms as a deacon and elder. He also taught Sunday school and Catechism for several years.

Frank treasured time spent with his family, especially when it involved a wiener roast. He was also fond of tending to his own trees and plants on his acreage.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Esther Ver Meer of Boyden; son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Marilyn Ver Meer of Boyden; daughter, Kathleen Ver Meer of Sheldon; son-in-law, Gerben (Carol) De Jong of Hull; his four grandchildren: Michele (Darin) Rosenboom, Dawn (Eric) Traviss, David (Jo Anna) Ver Meer, Todd De Jong and five great grandchildren. Frank is also survived by brother and sister-in-law, Everett and Margaret Ver Meer of Boyden; sister, Wilmina Swets of Bellflower, CA; two sisters-in-law: Wilma Brink of Corsica, SD and Leona Ver Meer of Boyden along with several nieces and nephews.

Frank was preceded in death by two infant daughters: Laura Mae and Barbara Ann Ver Meer; a son, David Wayne Ver Meer; a daughter, Barbara Ann De Jong; his parents; a brother, John R. Ver Meer and two brothers-in-law: Abe Brink and Walter Swets.