Obituaries

John C. Vermeer, 74 John Clarence Vermeer, 74, of Valley Springs, passed away Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Arlene Bakker, 84, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Valley Springs, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 at her home at Washington Crossings in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 at Valley Springs Reformed Church in Valley Springs. Visitation with family present to greet friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. An online guestbook is available at georgeboom.com. Arlene Brands was born on June 17, 1940 in Inwood, Iowa to Henry and Jennie (Brouwer) Brands. She grew up helping on the farm with her sisters and brother west of Inwood. She attended a country school and graduated from Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa. While with her sisters, cruising around the town of Canton. Arlene met, Cornelius F. Bakker. The couple were united in marriage on Feb. 7, 1962 in Inwood, Iowa. They made their home between Brandon and Valley Springs where they farmed, gardened, and she loved being a housewife and mother. Cornelius and Arlene adopted four wonderful children.

Kristin “Kris” A. Hemmelrick, 69, died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. Funeral Services will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. 

Edgar Anton Vermeer, 82, Sioux Falls, formerly Brandon, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, surrounded by family.  Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon. Memorial Services will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church, Brandon.  Inurnment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne, Minn. Edgar “Ed” Anton Vermeer was born on Sept. 26, 1942, to Leonard and Dorothy (Bernards) Vermeer in Luverne, Minn. and was raised on the family farm. He was baptized on Nov. 1, 1942, at Steen Reformed Church and confessed his faith as a young adult at American Reformed Church in Luverne. Ed attended school in Luverne, graduating in 1961. He joined the Army National Guard in 1960 and served until 1964.