Vernon Delmar Menninga was born on January 9, 1927, on a farm north of Pella, Iowa. He was the second of three children born to John S. and Margaret (Den Burger) Menninga.  Vernon received a grade school education at the Battle Ridge Country School near his birthplace north of Pella.

On February 14, 1947, he was united in marriage to Margaret De Zwarte, daughter of John and Marie (Goemaat) De Zwarte. To this union seven girls were born: Twylah Sue, Marla Jean, Laura Beth, Lila Joy, Cynthia Lynn, Verla Ruth and a still born girl (Anita). Following their marriage they farmed the Menninga family farm northwest of Pella. They lived on the farm until 1993 when they moved to their home in Pella.

Vernon grew up on the farm his grandpa and dad farmed. He then farmed it, and taught his daughters many life skills. They worked right along-side him. The farm was acknowledged as a Century Farm in 2018. Through the years, he was a member of the Car Club and Tractor Club. He had a 1927 Peerless Limousine he restored and enjoyed a great deal. Vernon worked for his brother Arvan, and his nephew at Menninga Electric, in maintenance at Central College and  he was a courtesy car driver for Ulrich Motor. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease the nurses when he would be in the hospital. When asked his birth date, he would tell them '1927'. They would say, "that's the year, what month and day?" and he would answer '1927' (1-9-27). He loved to visit with old friends and his greatest joy was spending time with his kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandkids!

Vernon was an elder and deacon and was a current member of Covenant Reformed Church.

Vernon and Margaret were married 74 years when she passed away May 2, 2021. He missed her every day since. He lived in his home alone until the end.

Twylah (Henry) Van Roekel

Gary (Tricia) Van Roekel

Kate (Nick) Kruzich

Darcy

Jesse Crozier

Lindsie (Matt) Schacherer

Samuel, Arabella

Nick Crozier, Elizabeth, Colton

Meghan (Dillon) Ponder

Dakota Jones, Jasmine Jones, Levi Jones

Gwen Van Roekel

Suzanne (Nick) Lenters

Gavin, Liam

Stephanie (Daren) Van Kooten

Sean Franje, Kaden, Abigail

Marla (Chuck) Vander Waal

Tricia (Dan) Vermeer

Brant (Kelsey), Isaac, Jack,  Ella

Todd (Emily) Vander Waal

Teagen, Anna, Nathan

Crystal (Jeff) Namminga

Jasmine, Sydney, Addison, Andrew

Laura (Arvin) Vos

Dale (Jennifer) Vos

Trinity, Treyton

Jana and Michael Noteboom

Brenda Vos (Derek Moyer fiancé)

Elizabeth Thomas, Beckett Moyer, Finley Moyer

Lila (Stanley) Boender

Shellene Grubbs

Alexander

Luke (Kylie Shullaw fiancée) and baby on the way

Justin (Michelle) Boender

Lane (Makayla)

Everleigh, Della

Noah (Samantha)

Jackson and baby on the way

Zechariah

Scott (Crystal) Boender

Emmit, Sullivan

James (Sara) Boender

Aubrey, Kayne

Cynthia (Mike) Arndt

Jeremy (Corissa) Arndt

Nicholas, Collin

Angie (Dennis) Parker

Isabella, Elliet

Verla (Greg) Bigbee

Heather Vander Heiden

Gage, Brady, Kjersten, Jace

Dustyn (Molly) Menninga

Henry, Hudson

LaCosta (Jeremy) Van Dyk

Zarah, Ariana, Madyson, Alexander, Josiah, Izabella

Morgan Bigbee

Dakota Bigbee

Ava

Vernon is also survived by his brother Arvan (Betty) Menninga of Pella, and his brother-in-law Verlan (Betty) De Zwarte of Chariton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Margaret, daughter in infancy;  grandson Wayne Van Roekel;  great grandson Samuel Boender; grandson-in-law Rusty Grubbs; sister Janet (Arie) Van Waardhuizen; and sisters-in-law: Jennie (Henry) Van Essen, and Dorothy (Tudor G.) Ver Meer.

Pella Christian Schools
Pella IA 50219

Covenant Reformed Church
Pella IA