Elmer Jay Vos was born January 4, 1937, in Des Moines, Iowa. He lived in several children's homes, prior to his adoption at age five, by Jacob and Johanna (Kolenbrander) Vos. He moved to the family farm eight miles southwest of New Sharon.

Elmer attended Peoria Christian Grade School, and received his high school diploma by mail from correspondence with American School in Chicago. This allowed him to stay home to care for his dad. Elmer was a licensed Master Electrician, held a refrigeration license and also a general class operations license with the Federal Communications Commission. Elmer was the former owner and operator of Vos Engineering.

On June 23, 1978, he was united in marriage to Arlene Groenenboom, at the Christian Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa. They completed their family with the adoption of two sons: Ronald and Leonard. They also took in a niece and nephew from his adopted sister in 1982.

In 2000, Elmer found his biological sisters in California, Nevada and Arkansas, and a brother in Des Moines. The family took two trips to visit them.

When Elmer was young, he was a member of Peoria Christian Reformed Church, later he helped start Federated Fellowship Church and Hope Church in Pella. He also served on the Bethel Mission Board in Des Moines, Iowa.

Those left to honor his memory are his wife Arlene Vos, and their sons: Ronald Vos and his daughter Destiny Patton, and Leonard Vos, all of Pella; and his sister Dolly and Jim Wood of Joplin, Missouri.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings: Virginia and Don Hollingsworth, Kenneth Howe, Pat Bacera, and Miriam Williams.

Hope Ministries
Des Moines IA

Northern Mahaska Specialty Care - Activity Fund
Oskaloosa IA