Verlan Uitermarkt

Verlan Uitermarkt, 89, of Pella and formerly New Sharon, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House. Verlan Uitermarkt, the eldest of seven children, was born December 22, 1934, at the rural Leighton, Iowa, home of his parents, Clayton Orlan and Dorothy Mae (Van Ommen) Uitermarkt. He graduated 8th grade from the Centennial Country School near his home and was a 1953 graduate of Pella High School. His first job was as a welder at Vermeer Manufacturing. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957. Before leaving for basic training, Verlan and Marjean Mae Gosselink were united in marriage on March 22, 1957, in Pella, Iowa. The military sent Verlan to Germany, where he served as a tank mechanic. Upon his return, he and Marjean moved to their home west of Lacey, Iowa. It became the “homeplace,” where he lived for 64 years. His farm was part of a wonderful farming neighborhood; there was nothing each of these people wouldn’t do to help each other. For years, Verlan farmed with Bill and Gary DeGoey, and after he retired, he helped Tom and Jackson Drost with their farming operation. In addition to farming many acres, Verlan was known for his big garden, as long as a football field, and loved giving all the produce to friends and neighbors. He and a neighbor, Bill Schinkel, had an ongoing competition for the best garden each year. He was a member of Central Church, the V.F.W., the American Legion, and the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Posse. Many will remember him patrolling the Southern Iowa Fair Grounds on horseback and later in his Posse uniform at the Wednesday night races. He also took several trips with his good friend and fellow posseman, Dennis Dursky, transporting prisoners around the country. They were recently honored for 50 years of service with the Sheriff’s Posse. Verlan had friends wherever he went; a typical Sunday morning involved coffee at McDonalds, breakfast at Hy-Vee, church at 8 a.m., and then the 911 Center to visit with the operators. He and Marjean were members of the Five-Couples Group, which met monthly from the time they were in high school until recently. They loved to visit with five of his Army buddies and families – from Iowa to Oklahoma to Texas. They also took many trips to Branson and Macon, Missouri, for Country Western and Southern Gospel Shows. His family includes his daughters and their families: Melinda “Mindy” Uitermarkt and Cynthia “Cindi” (Dennis) Veldhuizen, both of Oskaloosa; six grandchildren: Jonathan (Nichelle) Plate of Grinnell, Ryan (Alex) Plate of Grinnell, Andrew Plate (Felicity Meads) of Des Moines, Ashton (Clint) Long of Cedar, Chelsea (Austin) Steenhoek of Pella, and Courtney (Brandon) Groenendyk of Oskaloosa; 11 great-grandchildren: Abigail and Dawson Plate, Mason and Claire Plate, Ava, Weston, and Wyatt Long, Kaden and Ella Steenhoek, and Jade and Reid Groenendyk. He is also survived by his siblings: Kenneth (Fern) Uitermarkt of Pella, Elinor Bogaard of Pella, Maxine Lanser of Centennial, CO, Melvin (Shirley) Uitermarkt of Leighton, and Linda (John) Grandia of Pella; two brothers-in-law, David Norwood of Washington, NC, and Leonard (Sharon) Gosselink of Pella; a sister-in-law, Donna Gosselink of Pella; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and his wife, Marjean, of 58 years, he was preceded in death by a sister, Nancey Norwood; four brothers-in-law: Nelson Bogaard, Gary Lanser, John Gosselink, and Glen DeKock; and a sister-in-law, Charlene DeKock. Funeral Services for Verlan will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 14, 2024, at Central Church, with Pastor Jon Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 4–7 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Central Church or the Mahaska Health Foundation for the Hospice Serenity House.

Verlan Uitermarkt

December 22, 1934 - June 8, 2024