Vernon Vander Leest, 88, of Grinnell and formerly of Montezuma, passed away Wednesday morning, Mar. 21, 2018, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. He left this earth with his cousin, Andrew Dunnick of the Brooklyn Nursing Home, who passed away the same time as Vernon. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Mar. 28, at Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma. Burial was in Pleasant Township Cemetery in Ewart. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post 8876 of Montezuma, Lynnville Wagaman Mill, or the First Baptist Church of Grinnell.
Vernon Ray Vander Leest, the son of Neal and Mary (Ver Steegt) Vander Leest, was born Apr. 5, 1929. in Jasper County. Vernon enlisted in the United States Army in 1951. He proudly served his country with the 25th Infantry and served in Korea at Old Baldie, Pork Chop Hill, and Heartbreak Ridge. He was honorably discharged in the winter of 1952. Feb. 26, 1956, Vernon was united in marriage to Janice Busby at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. To this union, three children were born: Vernon Dean, Marty Ray, and Connie Sue. Vernon drove a truck for 30-plus years for National By Products. He also worked evenings part-time for Marvin Ramsey’s Texaco Gas Station for a few years. Following his retirement, he drove cars for Vannoy Chevrolet for several years. Vernon moved to Windsor Manor in Grinnell five years ago and started going to the First Baptist Church in Grinnell.
Vernon and Janice loved to travel with their family. In the fall, they enjoyed taking trips along the Mississippi River, going to the different locks and dams, as well as enjoying the beautiful fall colors. In 1985, they enjoyed a Bernice Ryan Bus Tour to Nashville, TN, to Fan Fair, where they enjoyed meeting different stars, singing, and making new friends. After Janice passed away, he still took road trips in his purple Geo Metro. Vernon was a proud veteran and was a member of the VFW Post 8876 and was excited to be a part of the Jasper County Freedom Flight.
Vernon is survived by his three children: Vernon (Karla) Vander Leest of Grinnell, Marty Vander Leest of West Des Moines, and Connie Vander Leest of Montezuma; three grandchildren: Brett (Angie) Vander Leest of Grinnell, Emily (Jim) Lahart of Ankeny, and Amanda (Brad) Sanders of Grinnell; four great-grandchildren and one on the way: Nathan Vander Leest, Grant Lahart, Jamison Lahart, Levi Sanders, and Baby Lahart; three sisters: Dorothy Lane of Grinnell, Helen (Fred) Schmidt of Sully, and Evelyn Roll of Colfax; two sisters-in-law: Doris Vander Leest of Grinnell and Jane Audas of Montezuma; and one brother-in-law, Melvin Busby of Long Beach, CA; a special friend, Hillard Turner Jr.; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janice on Aug. 20, 1995; one great-grandson, Greyson Dean Lahart; his siblings, Walt and Irene Vander Leest, Jim and Artie Vander Leest, Cliff and Ruth Vander Leest, Lester Vander Leest, Cora and Gerrit Van Wyk, Wilma and Bill Van Genderen, Viola Vander Leest, his twin brother-Verlan Vander Leest, and Robert Vander Leest; two brothers-in-law, Everett “Brick” Lane and Ronald Roll.
