Henrica "Rita" E. Verhey
May 16, 2018
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Service Details
Henrica “Rita” E. Verhey, 86, passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at her home. Services will be held on Friday May 25, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Family will greet friends following the service and a light lunch will be provided at Rita’s house. Private burial will be at Jordan Cemetery next to her husband, Lambertus Gerhardus “Bert” Verhey.
Rita was born on June 5, 1931 in Schiedam, the Netherlands to Lambertus Antonius Willemse and Maria Bernardina Riesouw.
She immigrated with her husband to the United States after their marriage in 1956. There was a housing shortage in Holland which prompted the couple to relocate. Bert was a businessman and ultimately had his own exporting business which took the couple all over the world. Rita also enjoyed her family, pets, and knitting.
She is survived by her children, Margaret (Doug Albaugh) Verhey, Martin (Bonnie) Verhey, and Rosemary (Chip) Bartlett; six grandchildren, Harrison and Peter Verhey, Julia and Evan Albaugh, and Alexandra and Trip Bartlett; and her sister in Holland, Wilhelmina Maria Wallenaar-Willemse. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings, Lambertus Antonius Willemse, Franciscus Willemse, Anna Maria Weber-Willemse, Johannes Willemse, and Henricus Wilhelmus Willemse.
Memorials may be directed to “Bailing out Benji”. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Marcel en jacqueline Bekkers-vd Kolk
08/05/2018
Alsnog gecondoleerd met het verlies van jullie moeder.
Het zal zeker een gemis voor jullie zijn.
Daarom heel veel sterkte toegewenst!!!
Marcel en Jacqueline
evert dekker
06/14/2018
Gecondoleerd met verlies van jullie moeder. Ondanks de hoge leeftijd is het toch een groot gemis. Jullie allemaal veel sterkte in de toekomst.
groeten Eef & Greet
Sonja den Ouden-Dekker
06/10/2018
I'm sorry for your loss. Always liked it when 'aunt' Riet and 'uncle' Bert visited Holland. Although it's a long time ago. Best wishes!
Kind regards from Holland
Judith Lehner Conner
05/22/2018
How well I understand after being friends with Rita, the true meaning of a friendship. To be able to share just a few of her life's journeys as she spoke them in her own words. Rita loved being Dutch. She told me of growing up in a loving family and the wonderful stories she attached. Stories of what it was like to endure the occupation of Holland during WWII, always steadfast in being a family.
How proud she was of her children and their accomplishments, and truly what a remarkable family they are. Her heart overflowed with love and pride for all her grandchildren and took a loving interest in each of their endeavors.
Rita loved to watch Dutch movies that were available, she played a good game of scrabble and had a penchant to slip Dutch words on me more than once. What a wonderful sense of humor Rita had, one had to be on one's toes to catch her wit. She had a delightful peppery side to her also, which I could appreciate. She was a grand lady.
Rita loved nature and was always up for a drive to lakes, parks and always so observant. Each little excursion we took, she always said, "I wish my sister Will, could see this with me." She loved you so, Will.
Her love of nature enhanced the kindness she had towards all living things. Often at breakfast we would so enjoy identifying the wide variety of birds that would come to her feeders. She named a wild turkey, "Tulip" which fed in the backyard, deer were abundant and once when we were in the middle of a challenging game of scrabble she motioned for me to turn around, and there sitting on the deck railing, was a beautiful barn owl. Her backyard was a safe haven for all creatures who came, to be adored by Rita.
And we are never to forget her two Persian cats, Tinker & Tiger, who gave her unconditional love everyday as she to them. Rita would be content to know they are together on a new journey of their own with a loving family & a little girl, Lilley.
All those who knew Rita will be touched by her memory. I had not in my life met, until Rita, a true lady.
I love her and I will miss her.
My sincerest condolences to the Verhey and Bartlett families.
Judith
Caregiver 2016-2018
Marilyn Hennesy-Stokes
05/22/2018
Dear Dr. Verhey and family,
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's death. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Loss is never easy but losing a parent is so heartbreaking that leaves a hole that only the good memories can fill. I know you were close to them as I saw that in the loving care you showed them. God bless all of you during this time.
Ian
05/18/2018
Im so sorry for your loss, she lived a long and wonderful life.