Estelle Achterhof

Estelle Achterhof, age 102, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center, Iowa.   

A private family funeral service will take place Thursday, September 8, 2022 with burial to follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Estella Achterhof was born April 12, 1920, to Richard and Kate (Roos) Vermeer at their rural Orange City, Iowa home.  She attended West Branch #4 country school, which was just down the hill from the family home, through eighth grade.  She continued her education by attending Sioux Center High School where she graduated in 1937.  She would tell you that the only way she would get to school was either to walk or ride her bike.   She loved to sing and participated in Glee Club, Mixed chorus, small groups and Gospel Artists.  Outside of school, she sang in the church choir and Farm Bureau chorus.   In her formative years, Estelle was involved in 4H and was proud to have won the State Fair health award in Des Moines when she was 17 years old, she also placed fifth in the nation at a competition in Chicago, Illinois.

With the goal of being a teacher in mind, Estelle took classes while in high school in Normal Training as well as a summer session at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA.  Following her training, she taught country school for three years.  She then was joined in marriage to Floyd Achterhof on June 18, 1941.  Floyd volunteered for the Coast Guard in 1942, and was stationed in Chicago, Illinois.  During that time, Estelle worked at a department store as a cashier in the toy department.  Floyd was transferred to San Francisco, CA, so Estelle moved back to Sioux Center to be close to other family members. 

When Estelle returned to Northwest Iowa, she taught at West Branch #5 country school.  When Floyd returned to the area the couple made their home in Sioux Center.  The couple shared 65 years of marriage.  Floyd died in 2004 following a stroke.

When she was younger, Estelle enjoyed bowling.  She also enjoyed sewing and quilting by hand with needle and thread.  She did many children’s quilts for family. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Estelle is survived by her son: Rick (Paula) Achterhof of Orange City, IA; grandchildren and great- grandchildren; sister-in-law, Charlotte Vermeer of Orange City, IA; and other extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; parents, Richard and Kate Vermeer; three children, Marsha Kay, Michael, and Patricia; siblings, Edward, Andrew, Ellen and Geneva.