Vincent Verhey

VINCENT 'VINNIE' TODD VERHEY was born to Cornelius “Cornie” and Lavonne (Bjerk) Verhey on August 24, 1962 at the Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne, Minnesota. He was raised in the Beaver Creek, Minnesota area, graduating from Hills-Beaver Creek High School in 1980. Vinnie then attended Pipestone Vocational and Technical School in Pipestone, Minnesota where he pursued a career in parts managements. Following his education he moved to Blaine, Minnesota working as a wood craftsman, carving, assembling and finishing toy trains, cars and trucks. He later returned to Beaver Creek, Minnesota and worked in Renner, South Dakota building portable office buildings. Vinnie worked various construction jobs, including for his brother at Verhey Construction. He later became employed as a custodian for Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School.

On Sunday, July 1, 2012, Vinnie passed away peacefully at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 49 years, 10 months, and seven days.

Vinnie was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, Minnesota and later confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek. In his earlier years he enjoyed playing softball in Beaver Creek and Sioux Falls. Throughout his life Vinnie enjoyed wood crafting such things as birdhouses, birdfeeders, benches and picnic tables. Vinnie lived the simple life that he enjoyed. He was always willing to give of himself and his last gesture of being a donor was another illustration.

Vinnie is survived by his father, Cornie of Beaver Creek; three brothers, Cornell Verhey of Beaver Creek, Rodney (Cami) Verhey of Hills, and Robert (Barb) Verhey of Luverne; nephews, Dustin, Steven and Andrew Verhey; aunts, Plona Cupery of Luverne, Gladys Brandt of Brandon, South Dakota, Viola Peterson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Olive “Dolly” Farrow of Indianapolis, Indiana; friend, Cindy Bakker of Valley Springs, South Dakota; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lavonne Verhey; and step-sister, Joyce Moore.