Raymond A. Ver Steegh

Ray Ver Steegh, 94, of Oskaloosa passed away Monday afternoon, March 17, 2014, at the MHP Hospice Services Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Raymond “Ray” A. Ver Steegh, son of William and Hattie (Van Zuuk) Ver Steegh, was born, January 8, 1920, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a 1937 graduate of Lacey High School of New Sharon, Iowa. Ray entered the Army Air Force, July 13, 1942, and after attending engine overhaul school in California, he was sent to the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre where he served in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines, where he maintained aircraft engines. He was discharged November 11, 1945 and returned to Oskaloosa. Ray was employed by Van Gorp Implement and O & M Equipment where he worked as a mechanic and a manager. He retired in 1985. Ray was united in marriage to Leona Te Paske in 1942 and they made their home in Oskaloosa and were the parents of four children. Leona passed away December 10, 1989. Ray was blessed to find love again; he married Wilma Vander Linden Terpstra January 4, 1992. Ray dedicated his life to Christ at age 14, when he joined the Presbyterian Church at New Sharon; he later transferred his membership to the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. Through the years he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon and an elder. Ray enjoyed working on small motors, and camping and fishing when he was able; in later years he spent time reading and using his computer. Ray’s family includes his wife, Wilma of Oskaloosa; a son, Keith (Deborah) Ver Steegh, of Des Moines; a daughter, Barb (Randy) Sterling of Rose Hill; a daughter-in-law, Evelyn Ver Steegh of Des Moines, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; step-children: Sandra (Ron) Miller of Cedar Rapids, Rick (Diane) Terpstra of Pella; Randy Terpstra of Cedar Falls and Doug (Beverly) Terpstra of Pella. In addition to his parents and his first wife, Leona, Ray was preceded in death by a daughter, Rosemary Vitosh, a son, Lee Ray Ver Steegh and a sister, Edna Ver Steegh and a brother, Floyd Ver Steegh. Funeral services for Ray will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, March 21, 2014, at Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Rev. Case Van Kempen officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 9:45 a.m. preceding the service in the west wing of the sanctuary. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery with Military Honors by the Oskaloosa Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 5-7 p.m. to greet visitors. Memorials may be made to the Central Reformed Church Music Department. PDF Printable Version

Raymond A. Ver Steegh

January 8, 1920 - March 17, 2014