Mrs. Christine Vermeer
VERMEER, BENJAMIN AND CHRISTINE (VAN ROEKEL)
Both the Vermeer and the Van Roekel families have been long time Sioux Center families.
"Ben" Vermeer was born August 3, 1909 at Sioux Center, to Gerrit and Peterje Vermeer. His Vermeer grandparents were Evert Vermeer and Maria Vanden Berg. (See their separate story.) Ben Vermeer married Christine Van Roekel on September 3, 1935.
Christine Van Roekel was born July 18,1910 near Hull, IA, to Christian Van Roekel and Johanna Mouw. Christine's grandparents were Geurt Van Roekel and Christina Rouwenhorst, and Berend Mouw and Maria Duistermars. (See their separate stories.)
Ben Vermeer graduated from high school in Sioux Center and then received his RA. Degree from Hope College in Holland, MI. He was employed as a bookkeeper for Kooiman's Grocery and later for Mouw Motor Company. In 1944 he served in the Army and after only three weeks he suffered a fatal heart attack while in Texas.
Christine taught country schools for six years before marriage and then was a homemaker until 1958. She then worked at the Sioux Center Library for fifteen years.
Ben Vermeer, his wife Christine and son Carl.
Picture taken for the 1941 Jubilee Celebration.
Ben and Christine Vermeer have one son Carl Vermeer who was born March 30, 1937 in Sioux Center. Carl married Wilma Hulstein who was born October 7, 1939. Wilma is the daughter of Wm. G. Hulstein and Ann Schuiteman. Carl and Wilma Vermeer live at Alexandria, MN. Carl has a Vending Machine Service Business and Wilma is a dental hygienist.
Carl and Wilma Vermeer have two daughters, Christi (Mrs. Alan Nelson) bas three children, Jeff, Ryan, and Abby Christine Nelson. They live in Alexandria, MN. Barbara (Mrs. Gregory Weiss) bas two children Matthew, and Michael Weiss. They live in Rochester, MN.
by Christine Vermeer
Pvt. Vermeer who had reached the age of 34 years, 8 months and 11 days is survived by his wife and seven year old son Carl and also his mother Mrs. Gerrit Vermeer Sr. and the following brothers and sisters: Ed Vermeer, Jake Vermeer, Jennie (Mrs. Gt. Vander Berg), Marie (Mrs. John Den Herder) all of Sioux Center; Gerrit Vermeer and Elizabeth (Mrs. Herman Van Eldik) both of Rock Valley, and Priscilla (Mrs. James Hollander) of Sioux Center.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday afternoon, April 19, 1944 at 1:30 at the home and at 2:00 o'clock at the Central Reformed Church with the Rev. R.D. Meengs and Rev. L.A. Brunsting officiating. Music was furnished by the men's chorus of which he was also a member. They sang two numbers, "Have Thine Own Way Lord" and "Under His Wings". The Central choir sang "Near to the Heart of God".
Burial took place at the local cemetery and acting as pall-bearers were James Wandscheer, Dace Roelofs, Dan Voorderman, Joe Wandscheer, Harold Boeyink, and Henry Eggink.
Legion Commander Ed Te Veltrup made the Gold Star Citation. The Legion Color Guard and Firing Squads were present and the Sheldon State Militia were honorary pall bearers.
Pvt. Ben Vermeer was born at Sioux Center on August 2, 1909 and spent all of his life in this community until his entrance into the service about three weeks ago. He was an active worker in both church and community work. Previous to his leaving for the army he was employed as bookkeeper at the Mouw Garage.
Pvt. Frank A. Kalton of Camp Hood, Texas accompanied the body to Sioux Center.
The he News joins the entire community in expressing its sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.
-Obituary from The Sioux Center News
(4/20/1944)
