Bill Verwey

Bill Verwey, 87, of Nekoma, ND passed away December 30, 2008 at the Maple Manor Care Center of Langdon, ND

William Verwey was born October 24, 1921 to John and Marie Verway at Portage LaPrairie, Manitoba, Canada. He graduated from Inkster High School in Inkster, ND. In 1938, Bill became a citizen of the United States and in 1942 served with the 11th Airborne Division of the Army in WWII. He was united in marriage to LeNora West in 1946 at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church of Conway, ND. Bill was the manager of the Peavey Elevator at Mapes, ND before moving to Nekoma in 1964 where he became the manager of the Nekoma Farmer’s Elevator. He owned and operated the Nekoma Bar for many years. During the boom years of the ABM the bar also provided many lunches and suppers to the workers. LeNora passed away in October of 1989 after a battle with cancer. Bill continued to run the Nekoma Bar until his retirement in 2001. He then worked some for Bob Wilhelmi at the Pain Reliever in Nekoma until he also had a bout with cancer. Bill entered Maple Manor Care Center in November of 2008. He especially enjoyed visits from his children and grandchildren.

Bill was a member of the St. Edward’s Catholic Church of Nekoma, served on the City Board of Nekoma and was the Mayor of Nekoma for a number of years during the ABM construction.

Bill is survived by his children: Janice (Edward) Kouba of Bismarck, ND, James (Becky) Verwey of Valley City, ND, John (Marlys) Verwey of Bismarck, ND, Gary (Patti) Verwey of Freemont, CA, Dawn (Donald) Roppel of Fairdale, ND, Judy Dietz of Beach, ND;

Grandchildren: Kimberly (Craig) Gerkins of Minneapolis, MN, Kevin (Nancy) Kouba of Grand Forks, ND, Bethany (Mike) Kobberbing of Casselton, ND, Kelly (Brent) Everson of Casselton, ND, Heidi (Dave) Wolfe of Fargo, ND, Heather (Matt) Skogen of Burlington, Iowa, Christopher (Nikki) Roppel of Orlando, Florida, Dallas (Amy) Roppel of Glendive, MT, Joshua Roppel of Fairdale, ND, Dirk (Tracey) Dietz of Grand Island, NE, Jeremy Dietz of Fergus Falls, MN, several great-grandchildren; brother Ray Verwey of WI, sister, Donna Folstrom of WI as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife LeNora, granddaughter Tawnya Roppel, and son-in-law Scott Dietz.

VISITATION will be at 5 O’Clock at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Langdon, ND on Friday, January 2, 2009.

PRAYER SERVICE will be at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Langdon, ND on Friday, January 2, 2009.

SERVICES will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Nekoma, ND on Saturday January 3, 2009.

INTERMENT will take place at St. Edward’s Cemetery in Nekoma, ND.

CONDOLENCES

I was so sad when I heard of the passing of my Uncle Bill. He was so good to me all my life. Took Donna & I to hockey games and until the last time I talked to him on the phone, he always ended with I love you My heart is with all you today Love all of you Love Helen MarieI would like to extend my hearfelt sympathy, my thoughts and prayers to the entire Verwey family. You can't be from Nekoma and not know Bill Verwey. I used to watch Bill walk past our house, sometime in the freezing cold in winter to make his way to his Nekoma Bar. He was a very caring and gentle man to me. You will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Bill. -Theresa (Krom) Lang