Janet Verveer Obituary

Janet Zerfass Verveer, 94, a retired administrative assistant and dedicated volunteer, died June 23, 2010 at Hermitage in Northern Virginia. She was born in Algona, Iowa, in 1915, graduated from local schools, and attended Shimer College and the University of Cincinnati. In 1938 she married Louis Verveer of Des Moines, and after WWII, they settled in Downers Grove, Illinois. She was employed there first at the Biel Insurance Agency and later South High School. Jan was a very active member of St Joseph's Parish in Downers Grove from 1955 until her move to Alexandria, Virginia, in 2008 and in the Marist Third Order of Mary. She was also a charter member of the Downers Grove Historical Society, among the first ladies who formed the Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary, an assistant Girl Scout leader, and a Meals on Wheels driver. In 1982 the Village of Downers Grove honored Jan and Lou as Volunteers of the Year in recognition of their community service. Jan's interests included genealogy, needlework, travel, politics, and correspondence. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1986. Jan is survived by a son, Philip (Melanne) of Washington, D.C., a daughter Mary Jane (Robert) Alexander of Springfield, Virginia, three grandchildren, Michael of Madison, Wisconsin, Alexa (Dominic Bianchi) of Washington, D.C., Elaina (Gregory Johnson) of Boulder, Colorado, and two great granddaughters, Leigh and Evan Bianchi. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Catholic Charities of Joliet, Illinois, or Advocate Charitable Foundation, of Park Ridge, Illinois. A memorial mass will be celebrated at St Joseph's Church, 4801 Main Street, Downers Grove on Friday, July 23, at 9:30 a.m. For information please call Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home 630-968-1000 or www.adamnswinterfieldsullivan.com