A funeral service for William C. “Bill” Vierhout was held Saturday, May 29, 2021, at First Reformed Church in Melvin. Pastor Al Honken officiated.
Pallbearers were Robert Vierhout, Thomas Vierhout, Anna Vierhout, Ryan TeKrony, David TeKrony and Marcus TeKrony. Interment was in Baker Township Cemetery at Melvin, with military graveside rites conducted by Melvin American Legion, Reed Guthrie Post #470. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
William Cornie “Bill” Vierhout, son of Arie and Ida (Kleene) Vierhout, was born on Aug. 20, 1935 at Hull. He grew up on the farm along with his two sisters, Evelyn and Irene, and attended country school near Boyden, graduating from the eighth grade.
In August of 1955, Bill began serving his country with the United States Army, spending 18 months of his military duty in Japan. He also completed his education while in service, earning his G.E.D. After his honorable discharge in June of 1957, Bill returned home and was employed at Black’s Farm Store in Primghar.
On July 21, 1959, Bill was united in marriage to Charlotte Bosch at the First Reformed Church in Sanborn. The new couple began their life doing what Bill loved best - farming.
Eventually they settled on a place northeast of Melvin, where they would spend the next 40 years and raise their three children: James, Connie and Crystal. Bill and Charlotte raised row crops and managed a large dairy herd of registered Holsteins, with everyone in the family doing their part. While the kids were still home, they enjoyed participating in livestock shows and county fairs together, collecting many ribbons and awards over the years.
As a contributing member of his community, Bill had sat on the boards of the local elevator, REC, AMPI and funeral home, as well as various dairy organizations. He was a member of the First Reformed Church in Melvin, serving as deacon and elder.
Bill and Charlotte retired from farming in 2002 and moved into the town of Sanborn. Now having more free time, they spent it traveling around the country seeing new sights and new places, yet nothing ever looked so good as pulling into their own driveway. Bill’s greatest delight was being with his family, watching the grandkids grow and holding his great-grandson.
On Friday, May 21, 2021, Bill passed from this life at the age of 85 years. He now joins loved ones who have gone before: his parents, Arie and Ida Vierhout; his mother and father-in-law, John and Jeanette Bosch; a brother, Cornie Vierhout; sister, Irene Maggert; and grandson, Michael Vierhout.
Keeping his memory close at heart are his wife of nearly 62 years, Charlotte, of Sanborn; his children: James (Cheryl) Vierhout and Connie (Rod) TeKrony, all of Hull; and Crystal Vierhout, of Sanborn; six grandchildren: Robert (Jessica) Vierhout, of Cumming; Thomas (Brittany) Vierhout, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Anna Vierhout and Alec Monahan, of Des Moines; Ryan TeKrony and Brialle Veldman, of Kathleen, Ga.; David TeKrony, of Sioux Center; and Marcus TeKrony and Jackie Trejo, of Hull; one great-grandson, James Michael Vierhout; other relatives and friends.