Norman Leon Vermeer, 83 of Nampa, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2020 of natural causes.
Norman was born May 26, 1936 in Strasburg Township, North Dakota, to Annie and Henry Vermeer. Norm was the second of four children, older brother Evert, younger sister Jean, and younger brother Calvin.
When Norm was 2 years old, the Vermeer family moved to Rupert, Idaho. There was no work in North Dakota during the depression. Over time, Norm’s father, Henry, found work as a laborer building dams. He helped on the construction of the Minidoka Dam until completed, then the Vermeer family moved to Parker Dam on the Arizona-California border in 1940. Upon completion of Parker Dam, the family moved to Lynden, Washington, where some of Mom Vermeer’s relatives lived – no more migrant trail.
Norm graduated from Lynden Christian High School in May of 1954 and joined the US Marine Corps in June. He proudly served his country until 1957 then moved to Southern California. Norm worked for the Edison Company during the day and attended Cerritos Junior College at night for three years until 1960.
Norm went to work for Robert Shaw Fulton Controls Company where he was a field service rep for the 14 western states. 1962 was a transitional year for Norm, he married Marie VanVliet and joined Chino Grain & Milling as a sales rep. He worked 8 years for Chino Grain & Milling and did very well, but in 1971 Norm and Marie decided to move their growing family to Idaho for a better quality of life. In Idaho, Norm became a fruit farmer and later a dairyman.
Norm was very proud of his family. God was with him in everything he did, even when he didn’t know.
Norm is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marie; their 4 children, Mike and wife Teri, Risa and husband Leland of Caldwell, Derek and wife Julie, all of Caldwell, and Klaas of Nampa; his brother, Evert and wife Mary, of Tucson, AZ; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jean Penning, and brother Calvin Vermeer.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:3
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 20th at Deer Flat Church, Caldwell. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Norm’s memory to Deer Flat Church Library, 17703 Beet Rd, Caldwell, ID 83607.
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