Florence Maree Verrips was born on May 31, 1919, near Lynnville, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Nora (Sullivan) Conn. She was the seventh child of thirteen siblings. She was baptized as an infant at the Presbyterian Church in Lynnville, Iowa, and was also baptized at the First Baptist Church in 1955, where she continued to worship until the time of her death.

Florence was a 1936 graduate of Pella Community High School. She was united in marriage to Franklin Arthur Verrips on March 27, 1939, in Lancaster, Missouri. To this union four children were born: Joan Florence, Bonnie Maree, Donna Diane, and Donald Arthur. Florence was a homemaker and along with her husband opened the Steak House in 1947, in Pella, Iowa. They also owned and operated Verrips Grocery and Café. Franklin passed away suddenly on May 14, 1981. The business was sold and Florence continued working there for several years. Due to health problems, Florence retired and had been enjoying church work and belonging to different organizations; she was a Matron of the Eastern Star, belonged to the Mary Martha Circle, helped with Bible school and belonged to the senior citizens group at her church.

Those left to treasure her memories are her son Don and his friend Linda Verrips, three grandchildren: Darren K.R. Smith, Gretchen Maree Smith and Tracey Goodrich and her husband Joe; and her great-grandchildren, which includes Jacob, Sarah, and Lucas Goodrich. Florence is also survived by her brother Andrew; two sisters: Beverly and Gordon Shissler of Marion, Iowa, and Agnes Pease of Colfax, Iowa; two brothers-in-law: Richard Howard of Kansas and Harold Jansen of California, and many nieces and nephews.

Florence is preceded in death by her husband Franklin, three daughters: Joan Florence who passed away May 7, 1940 at the age of seven months, Bonnie Maree who passed away December 15, 1988, and Donna Diane who passed away on March 19, 2003; her siblings: John Conn, Marjorie Beyer, Mildred Carnahan, Grace Brady, David Conn, Edward Conn, Lindsey Conn, Robinette Van Arkel, and Jim Conn. She is also preceded in death by her sister-in-law Lorena Conn.

Florence will be remembered as a very loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She always enjoyed joking around, loved being with people, going out to eat and playing cards, especially bridge and also doing crossword puzzles. She will be missed by all.

[Garden Chapel Funeral Home web site]

Florence Maree Verrips was born on May 31, 1919, near Lynnville, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Nora (Sullivan) Conn. She was the seventh child of thirteen siblings. She was baptized as an infant at the Presbyterian Church in Lynnville, Iowa, and was also baptized at the First Baptist Church in 1955, where she continued to worship until the time of her death.

Florence was a 1936 graduate of Pella Community High School. She was united in marriage to Franklin Arthur Verrips on March 27, 1939, in Lancaster, Missouri. To this union four children were born: Joan Florence, Bonnie Maree, Donna Diane, and Donald Arthur. Florence was a homemaker and along with her husband opened the Steak House in 1947, in Pella, Iowa. They also owned and operated Verrips Grocery and Café. Franklin passed away suddenly on May 14, 1981. The business was sold and Florence continued working there for several years. Due to health problems, Florence retired and had been enjoying church work and belonging to different organizations; she was a Matron of the Eastern Star, belonged to the Mary Martha Circle, helped with Bible school and belonged to the senior citizens group at her church.

Those left to treasure her memories are her son Don and his friend Linda Verrips, three grandchildren: Darren K.R. Smith, Gretchen Maree Smith and Tracey Goodrich and her husband Joe; and her great-grandchildren, which includes Jacob, Sarah, and Lucas Goodrich. Florence is also survived by her brother Andrew; two sisters: Beverly and Gordon Shissler of Marion, Iowa, and Agnes Pease of Colfax, Iowa; two brothers-in-law: Richard Howard of Kansas and Harold Jansen of California, and many nieces and nephews.

Florence is preceded in death by her husband Franklin, three daughters: Joan Florence who passed away May 7, 1940 at the age of seven months, Bonnie Maree who passed away December 15, 1988, and Donna Diane who passed away on March 19, 2003; her siblings: John Conn, Marjorie Beyer, Mildred Carnahan, Grace Brady, David Conn, Edward Conn, Lindsey Conn, Robinette Van Arkel, and Jim Conn. She is also preceded in death by her sister-in-law Lorena Conn.

Florence will be remembered as a very loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She always enjoyed joking around, loved being with people, going out to eat and playing cards, especially bridge and also doing crossword puzzles. She will be missed by all.

[Garden Chapel Funeral Home web site]