Joan Verhey, 90, of Pella and formerly of Sully, passed away Apr. 24, 2024, The Cottages in Pella. Private family committal services were held Monday, Apr. 29, at Oakwood Cemetery, Pella. Funeral services were at 11 a.m., Monday, Apr. 29, at Cornerstone Church, Pella. Memorials have been designated for Joshua Christian Academy in Des Moines or Mobility Worldwide IA in Leighton.
Joan Darlene Van Rees was born Oct. 12, 1933, along with her twin sister, Joyce, to Lawrence and Wilma (Lanser) Van Rees at their home west of Sully. She was the third of five children. Joan attended Sully Christian School in her early years and then later attended Pella Christian High School for two years before graduating from Sully High School in 1951. Joan met Ben Verhey, and they were married on Mar. 14, 1952, at Sully Christian Reformed Church. To this union, four children were born: Kathy, Connie, Brian, and Kim. Joan then continued her education obtaining a degree in the certified nursing assistant program in 1969. She then worked as a CNA part-time at Skiff Medical Center in Newton for 20 years and part-time at Pella Regional Hospital for 10 years. Ben and Joan made their home at Sully until 1991 when they moved to Pella. Ben and Joan traveled extensively together and especially enjoyed their trips to Holland and Austria.
Joan’s surviving family includes daughters Kathy (Duane) Heyveld of Pella, Connie (Mark) Roozeboom of Pella, and Kim (Brian) Ede of Springfield, VA; daughter-in-law Karmen Verhey of Coralville; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sister Henrietta Laverman of Pella; sister-in-law Bonnie Van Rees of Lynnville; brother-in-law Charles Brand of Pella; along with many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Ben on Jan. 9, 2005, son Brian on Jan. 19, 2019, sisters Lenora Nikkel and Joyce Brand, brother Dave Van Rees, and brothers-in-law Bernie Nikkel of Pella and Wilford Laverman of Sully. Of Ben’s family, she was preceded in death by Pete and Metje Verhey of Pella and Martin and Nellie Verhey of Kentwood, MI.
Joan was a member of Sully Christian Reformed Church until 1991 and then was a faithful member of Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella.
Joan’s greatest joys were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a nature lover who loved flowers and gardening, birds, and all things having to do with the outdoors in spring, summer, and fall. Joan loved the beach and spent time in Florida during the winters for 25 years. She also enjoyed traveling throughout Europe with Ben’s cousins several times and going to more tropical places in the winter. Joan will be remembered by her loving family and all the memories they shared together.
