Cornelius Verhey

CORNELIUS 'CORNIE' VERHEY was born to Klaas and Lucretia (Van Dis) Verhey on September 30, 1926 in Rock County, Minnesota. He attended country school through the eighth grade and then went to work on the farm with his dad. Cornie was drafted into the United States Army and served in Germany during the conclusion of World War II. Following his honorable discharge from the service he returned home and began farming. On December 17, 1955 Cornie was united in marriage to Lavonne Bjerk at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, Minnesota. The couple made their home on farms in Beaver Creek Township before moving into Beaver Creek in 1962. Cornie then went to work in construction for five years before becoming a custodian at the Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School. A few years later, Cornie purchased a semi-truck and began his own trucking company, Verhey Trucking. In 1975, he began working at the Sioux Falls Stockyards in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He worked there until his retirement in 1991. Cornie then went to work part-time at a rest area. Lavonne preceded him in death on June 28, 2010. Cornie continued to reside in their home in Beaver Creek. He remained as active as his body would let him and enjoyed the seasonal tasks of his vegetable gardening. On Thursday, November 19, 2015 Cornie passed away at his home at the age of 89 years, one month and 19 days.

Cornie had a quiet faith that he shared with a couple of close friends and held with him at the end of his life. He enjoyed caring for his garden, fishing and riding around in his pickup truck. Most all he enjoyed the gift of grandchildren and attending their sporting events and other activities.

Cornie is lovingly remembered by his three sons, Cornell Verhey of Beaver Creek, Robert and his wife Barb of Luverne, and Rodney and his wife Cami of Hills; nine grandchildren; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lavonne; son, Vincent Verhey; parents, Klaas and Lucretia Verhey; and siblings, John Verhey, Frank Verhey and Plona Cupery.