Vernon Ropp

 

Vernon Ropp, 91, of Kalona, passed from this life on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Pleasantview Home in Kalona. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Sunnyside Mennonite Church. The service will be available via Livestream at the Sunnyside Mennonite Church YouTube page. Burial will be held before the service at 9:00 AM at Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona. The family will greet friends on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 3 – 7 PM at Sunnyside Mennonite Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the Pleasantview Home. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Vernon was born December 6, 1933, in Kalona, Iowa, the son of Lewis C. and Magdalena (Hershberger) Ropp. He served in 1W Service as an orderly at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Chicago. Vernon was united in marriage to Mary Elva Swartzendruber on September 5, 1959, at the Upper Deer Creek Church. He worked in implement sales at Farmer’s Supply and Sales, Inc., for 41 years. After Mary’s death, Vernon married Velma Crum on April 15, 2023. Vernon was a member of the Sunnyside Church where he served as a trustee. He served as the president of the Kalona Optimist Club, president of the Iowa MDS, chairman of the MCC Meat Gathering Committee, and served on the MCC Central States Board. Vernon enjoyed telling stories, making tractors out of old sewing machines, buying things at auction and taking photos. After moving to Pleasantview he was known for his beautiful flower gardening.

Survivors include Velma of Kalona, three children: Steve (Kathy) Ropp of Iowa City, Sonda (Mike) Uitermarkt of Tiffin, Marla (Perry) Hess of Bettendorf, six grandchildren: Matt (Rachel) Ropp, Jason (Elizabeth) Ropp, Nicole (Nathan) Elliott, Ben (Deanna Holroyd) Reinartz, Alex (Sarah) Hess, Jake Hess, eight great-grandchildren, one sister Martha Bender of Kalona, IA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Vernon in death were his parents, his wife Mary on July 30, 2015, two brothers: Ernest Ropp and Omer Ropp; eight sisters: Esther Ropp, infant Mary Jane Ropp, Ella Mae Ropp, Lydia Gingerich, Effie Baer, Ada Gingerich, Edith Helmuth and twin sister Verda Swartzendruber; and two sisters-in-law: Ardith Ropp, and Pearl Ropp.