Obituary of Gertie Verwers

Gertie Verwers Gertie, a farm girl her entire life, was born on August 13, 1922, in Jasper County to Willem and Maatje Van Manen, who were immigrants from the Netherlands. Gertie was raised on a farm near Kellogg, Iowa. After her high school graduation in 1940, Gertie immediately went to Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. On August 13, 1940, Gertie and her soon-to-be husband, Marion C. Verwers, eloped to Princeton, Missouri, with Marion’s identical twin brother, William and his wife, Wilma, as their witnesses. Due to the fact that country schools did not allow married teachers, Gertie and Marion kept their marriage a secret so Gertie taught for one year. Gertie and Marion began their farming careers near Fifield, Iowa, which is now located under Red Rock Lake. In 1953, Gertie and Marion moved to her mother’s farm near Kellogg. They farmed there until their retirement in 1973 when they moved to Newton. Marion preceded Gertie in death on November 17, 1986. Gertie loved her family and friends, her church and her neighbors. She entertained frequently, made many calls with invitations for tea, and always relished playing games. She particularly loved the game Aggravation and never let anyone win easily; a friendly competition was the name of the game. Gertie cared about the people around her. Her generosity with her family and friends never failed; each of her children and grandchildren received a quilt she created for them with much love. Known for her Almond Bark Cookies, she even took some with her to Park Centre where she spent her last few days. Many times, she suggested getting out the cookies and tea for her visitors. Gertie was a farm girl from birth; and her interest in farming never decreased. A few days before her death, she inquired about current farm prices and expressed concern about her taxes being done on time. She truly loved to work and be busy. She had many places of employment. She and Marion cleaned the Pence Funeral Home after their retirement, the Maytag Dairy was a fun job during the Christmas season for many years, and her nurse’s aid position at Skiff Hospital was perfect for her caring spirit. She recently completed 20 years of employment at Rock Printing and worked several days in December. Gertie is survived by her sons and daughters: Carroll (Linda) Verwers of Leesburg, Florida, Marj (Ken) Zimmerman of Pleasant Hill, Violet (Junior) Van Gorp of rural Newton, Dee (Paul) Van Zee of Pella, and Gordon (Shirley) Verwers of Atlanta, Georgia; her 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; a sister Nellie Van Wyk; many nieces and nephews; and many friends. Gertie passed from this life on Saturday evening, February 13, 2016, at Park Centre Health Care, under the loving care of WesleyLife Hospice. Gertie was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and their wives: Johnny (Leona) Van Manen, Pete (Minnie) Van Manen, and Art (Tillie) Van Manen, a brother-in-law, William (Wilma) Verwers, and two sisters-in-law, Cecilia (Tunis) Vonk and Sophie (Walt) Van Dorland. In looking through some things at her home, Gertie’s children found her high school yearbook. The description of our Mother found there was exactly true: She wears a smile all day long With the highest student she does belong. Visitation will be 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A time of Remembrance and services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 18, at the Newton First Assembly of God, with burial at the Newton Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left in Gertie’s name with her family or to the Newton First Assembly of God, Kellogg Historical Museum, WesleyLife Hospice, or a charity of your choosing.