Donald Verdoorn, (Butch) age 82, passed away peacefully at his home on January 30, 2021 surrounded by his family after a courageous, three-year battle with head and neck cancer.
Don was born on May 25, 1938 in Albert Lea, MN and grew up in Hollandale, MN. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1956 and attended Central College in Pella, IA where he met his wife of 61 years, Shirley. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in 1960 and joined IBM, where he worked for 27 years at a variety of locations including Minneapolis, Madison, Binghamton, Raleigh, and Rochester. He and Shirley lived in Rochester for the past 36 years. Donald was active in Autumn Ridge Church, the Rochester Exchange Club, SCORE, and volunteered at the Mayo Clinic. He was an avid, life-long Minnesota Vikings fan. When he wasn’t playing golf, he loved spending time with friends and family, advising, joking and brightening the lives of everyone who knew him.
Don is survived by his wife, Shirley, his sons, Todd (Patricia), Scott, Kurt (Roberta) and Steve (CeAnn), seven grandchildren, Ben (Adria), Logan, Carlyn (Sean) Korsmo, Mitchell, Nicole (Matt) Pearson, Joshua, Hannah and their mother, Lesa and two great grandchildren, Louisa and Ansel. He is also survived by his brothers Robert (Arlys) and Thomas (Jan), his sisters, Joyce Nielsen and Katherine (Dennis) Dybowski and his sisters-in-law Loraine Loomans, Marcella (Clause) Kuiper, Bethel Tuinstra, and Helen Tuinstra and brother-in-law Leonard Peacock.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Arie and his brother-in-law, David Nielsen.
Walk through visitation will be held from 12:30-1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Autumn Ridge Church, 3611 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MN. Celebration of Life service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Masks are required. View the Don Verdoorn Funeral Stream http://www.youtube.com/channel/UChgyXwef_JItgDm345p6v9g
Please direct memorials to Special Olympics Minnesota or Seasons Hospice.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Don may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
Butch was a special guy and someone I always look up to.
John Sikkink
I will always remember Uncle Butch playing football with us on Thanksgiving. I have great memories playing in the snow. My sympathy to you all in the loss of a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. I wish I could be there with you.
Shirley: my deepest sympathies to you & your family!! May God fill the void & vacant spot with His love & guidance! Cousin Greta
From Don:
“We had a lot of great times together! We were good buddies! We’ve been friends for a long, looong time! I always enjoyed our time together. I’ll miss the Ole Butcher!”
Love, prayers, and airmail hugs to all of you! Thanks for all the wonderful memories together throughout the years- at the cabin, playing cards, superbowls, gold course. Wonderful times together!!
– Jo, Don and in heart Lory and Jay
Walk through visitation will be held from 12:30-1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Autumn Ridge Church, 3611 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MN. Celebration of Life service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Masks are required. View the Don Verdoorn Funeral Stream
Thanks for all your kind words! Lots of memories from all of you!
He will be missed!
Shirley
I miss you Dad. 🙁
A wonderful man and family.