Owen Dean Ver Meer was born December 1, 1942, to Anthony and Jeanette (Vander Wal) Ver Meer, in Mahaska County, Iowa. He lived in the Leighton area his entire life and was a graduate of Pella High School. Owen enlisted in the Iowa Air National Guard in 1960 and was honorably discharged in 1966.

On June 23, 1965, he married Esther June Steenhoek at the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Pella. They had three children and were taught to help on the farm.

Owen and Esther bought their home farm in 1973, which is two miles north of Leighton, Iowa and next to Esther’s childhood farm. In addition to farming, Owen was always known as a handy-man. He served on the Mahaska Rural Water Board for six years, the Mahaska Farm Service for three years and was a member of the Pork Producers of Mahaska County.

They were members of Faith Christian Reformed Church.

Owen’s Family:

Michael and Janet (Hiemstra) Ver Meer of Pella, Iowa

Rachel Ver Meer

Dominick Ver Meer

Bradley (the late Brenda McNallan) Ver Meer of Savage, Minnesota

Lauren Ver Meer

Alexandra Ver Meer

Julie (Ver Meer) and Richard Wester of Lynden, Washington

Brooklyn (Wester) and Nathan Earhart 

Baker

Katelyn Wester

Carlton Wester

Owen is also survived by his sister Carol (Obie) Van Dyke and brother Eugene (Sandra) Ver Meer all of Pella. Esther’s sisters-in-law: Sheryl Steenhoek, and Marge Steenhoek of Pella.

He was preceded in death by his wife Esther, his parents Anthony and Jeanette Ver Meer, and parents-in-law Anna (Van Zee) and Walter Steenhoek. Esther’s sister and brother-in-law Betty (Steenhoek) and Pete Hessing, her brothers James Steenhoek and Loren Steenhoek, and his brother-in-law James Van Engelenhoven.

Memorials may be given to Pella Christian Schools or PET Mobility Worldwide - Leighton, Iowa.