- Date Of Birth: January 9, 1927
- Date Of Death: August 18, 2022
- State: Iowa
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).
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)
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.
