Gerald John Verros, the first son and second child of Gerrit and Lena (Steenhoek) Verros was born November 28, 1926, at the family home northwest of Harvey. He was baptized at the Third Reformed Church in Pella soon after his birth. At the age of two the family moved to a farm west of Otley where they lived for nine years.

They attended the Otley Reformed Church where Gerald regularly attended Sunday School and catechism classes. His schooling days began in 1931 at Pleasant Grove School in Summit Township.

In 1938 the family moved to a farm near Leighton. He completed the eighth grade at Else Country School in Mahaska County. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1944.

Gerald was ten years old in the heart of the Great Depression. In spite of some very hard times, he had many pleasant memories of the 1930's. He worked on area farms and later farmed with his brother Elton. He spent two years in the army, part of it with NATO forces in Germany. Gerald retired from farming and moved to an apartment in Pella in 1989.

In 1996 Gerald, a sixty-nine year old bachelor, met and married Maxine Ruth Vander Linden who he firmly believed was God's special gift to him. They have enjoyed traveling and spending time volunteering in the community of Pella.

Gerald had a large "adopted" family which he loved and was loved in return. Gerald realized God has blessed him with a long happy life and when it became apparent that his life on earth might soon end, he was ready to move on to a life in heaven that never ends.

As a young man Gerald made profession of faith at the Third Reformed Church in Pella. For the last fifteen years he has been a member of First Reformed Church and participated in church activities as long as health permitted. He was a member of the American Legion for more than fifty years. Gerald enjoyed books and giving presentations on country schools, U.S. Presidents and the Depression years.

Gerald expressed deep gratitude for the love and care from all his loving family in his final weeks, especially his devoted wife, Maxine, and his step-son, Mike.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of almost sixteen years Maxine; his step-children and their families; sister, Doris Steenhoek and her children: Phyllis and Nolan Palsma and family, Harris and Dianne Steenhoek and family, Joleen and Scott Opsal and family; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Bob and Phyllis Hiemstra, John and Mary Hiemstra, Nellie Klein, Art and LouAnn Schuring, Marion and Lila Schuring, Wilma and Harold Beyer.

Preceding him in death were: his parents Gerrit and Lena Verros; brother Elton Verros; nephew David Steenhoek; brother-in-law Alfred Steenhoek; Maxine's parents John and Lillian Hiemstra, step-brothers-in-law Don Hiemstra, Henry Schimmel, and Arie Klein; stepson Jerry Schuring; and grandchildren Andrea and David Schuring.

Gerald's family:

Wife: Maxine Verros of Pella
Children: The late Jerry Schuring
Jeremy and Sammy Schuring and family
Mark and Cassie Schuring
Lisa and Mark Meinders
Alivia Schuring
Alexia Schuring

Carl and Kelly Schuring
Cody Schuring
Cally and Matt Dishman and family

Mike and Deb Schuring
Alex Schuring
Sarah Elizabeth Schuring

Ron and Linda Schuring
Matt and Tara Schuring and family
Nichole Schuring and family
Mary and Jon Landon and family
Chris and Nicole Smith

Leon Vander Linden
Jenny and Chad Rhodes and family

Deletha and John Keller III
Christine Keller
John Keller IV

Cindy and Terry Blom
Travis Blom
Amy and Jason Neer and family

FUNERAL SERVICE

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10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2012
First Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Starting at noon on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 with family present 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
First Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

First Reformed Church

INTERMENT

Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa

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