Vera Jean Devries

Parker. Vera Jean DeVries, 79, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls surrounded by her family. Visitation with family present will begin at 6:00pm Tuesday at the Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home, Parker with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm Tuesday evening. Private family interment will be at the Germantown Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Chancellor with a Memorial Service celebrating her life with thanksgiving to God at 11:00am Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at Grace Lutheran Church, Parker. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Avera Dougherty Hospice House or Grace Lutheran Church Choir. Born May 30, 1932 to Lucas and Tena (Naatjes) Poppens, Vera Jean was raised on a family farm near Lennox. She graduated from Lennox High School, received a teaching certificate from Sioux Falls College and taught country school. On August 23, 1950 she married Merlin “Moe” DeVries. They lived and farmed near Parker and were blessed with four children. Vera Jean devoted the early years of her life to raising her family and working on the farm. She then served as a special education aide in the Parker School District for over 20 years, retiring in 2007. While on the farm, some of Vera Jean’s many activities included raising chickens, selling eggs, and creating rugs on her looms. She enjoyed gardening and reading, but especially cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They gave her tremendous joy and were a source of immense pride. She enjoyed attending all of their activities, and especially sporting events where she was their #1 fan and supporter. She was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church and sang in the choir for many years. Grateful for having shared her life are her four children, Deone (Steve) Christensen, Parker; Joel (Kathleen) DeVries, Rapid City, Marla (Steve) Willard, Pierre and Tricia (Scott) Bussell, Hartford; nine grandchildren: Monie (Heath) Siemonsma, Stephanie (Jim) Even, Amy (Greg) Johnson, Kimberly and Emily DeVries, Samuel and Jesse Willard, and Cody and Katelyn Bussell; seven great-grandchildren: Brayden, Connor, and Alex Siemonsma, Tanner, Alexis, and Andrew Even, and Gavin Johnson; a brother Marvin L. (Cecelia) Poppens, Little Falls, MN; two sisters-in-law, Darlene Friese, Chancellor and Dorothy DeVries, Lennox; and many, many more cherished friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband Merlin “Moe” in 2008.