Verl VerDught

Verl D. VerDught of Storm Lake, Iowa died Sunday, June 27, 2021 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake, Iowa. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 2:30 P.M. (Central Time) via a Zoom video conference. To watch the service, please click the following link: https://jworg.zoom.us/j/83652124132?pwd=VlJtQUtJbGV0d3ZaTkNOc3hJUG9GQT09 and enter the passcode: 090355. Burial will be at a later date. The Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Verl was born February 6, 1932, to Lester L. and Pearl E. (Hawkins) VerDught in Monroe, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm near Monroe. He had a real love for animals and enjoyed horseback riding. He would ride his blind horse “Lady” to town on Saturday nights to compete in the barrel racing event. They usually came home as the winner! He attended country school in Monroe and graduated from Monroe High School in 1953. While in high school, he played on the football and track teams. During that time, he set multiple track records. In high school, he met the love of his life, Nellie J. Neef. They were married on March 16, 1955 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Newton, Iowa. Verl and Nellie were blessed with two daughters, Carolyn Marie and Jane Ann. After obtaining a thorough knowledge of the Bible and developing a personal relationship with Jehovah God, Verl dedicated his life to worshiping Jehovah God. On September 1, 1955 he provided an outward symbol of that sincere dedication by being baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He and Nellie instilled Bible truths in their daughters. He also took every opportunity to talk to others about the Bible. He had many privileges as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. One of his most treasured privileges was attending the Kingdom Ministry School in Chicago, IL. During his early adult life, he worked for PAG Seed Corn Company in Monroe as a truck driver. It was here that he was given his lifelong nickname “Duffy”. After moving to Knoxville, Iowa, he became a dealer for Surge Dairy Equipment. It was here on the acreage that the family started a project of raising lambs. He taught his daughters how to care for animals, be industrious and hard workers. Later he worked for Vermeer Manufacturing Company in Pella, Iowa. After 27 years of service, he retired with distinction on January 31, 2003. After the daughters left home, Verl and Nellie moved back to Monroe on the acreage Verl grew up on. In 2004, they moved to Sebastopol, CA. to live next to their daughters. Upon the retirement of their daughter Carolyn and her husband Keith in 2017, the four of them returned to Northwest Iowa. Verl and Nellie lived in Alta, Iowa at the Wel-Life Assisted Living facility. In February of 2019, their daughter Jane and her husband Jeff moved from California to Storm Lake to join the family. In January of 2020, Verl and Nellie moved into the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake, Iowa. Verl was a quiet, humble and meek man. He will be remembered for his cheerful spirit, smiling face and sincere affection. He loved his family and was an example of love for each member. He enjoyed sharing a meal and spending time with them. He touched the lives of others. He was always there for a friend in need, to hold their hand, or lift them up. He was someone that could be relied on. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Those left to cherish Verl’s memories include his wife, Nellie; two daughters Carolyn Fulton and her husband Keith and Jane McCleeary and her husband Jeffrey; one granddaughter Janell McCleeary; one great grandson Mason; two step grandsons Jeremy and Alexander Fulton; three step granddaughters Jillian Vega, Haley and Chelsea Fulton; one step great-great granddaughter Isabella Vega; one brother Elvynn VerDught and his wife Betty; one sister Twyla Thorpe; and four nephews El Gene VerDught and his wife Julie, Ammon VerDught and his wife Linda, Bryan Graham, and Derek VerDught; and one niece Kristen Middlebrook. Verl was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Pearl VerDught and his sister Dyann Burke.

Verl VerDught

February 6, 1932 - June 27, 2021