In Memory of Randall E. "Randy" Vermeys

Randall E. “Randy” Vermeys, age 77, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at his residence of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek, Iowa. Rev. Dr. Jim Edwards will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. Military Rites will be conducted by Maple Valley Post #0364 of the American Legion of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 29, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

In accordance with the family's wishes, those attending are encouraged to dress casually.

Randall Edward “Randy” Vermeys, the son of Edward and Marianne (Petit) Vermeys, was born on September 4, 1948, in Battle Creek, Iowa. Randy often remarked on his status as the middle child of 15 children. He received his primary education in Battle Creek and graduated from Des Moines North High School in 1968.  

After high school, Randy entered the U.S. Navy, proudly serving aboard the U.S.S. Constellation in southeast Asia at sea and on land during the Vietnam conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1972. 

In February 1973, Randy was united in marriage to Corlie Booth in Okoboji, Iowa. The couple made their home outside of Battle Creek, Iowa. They were blessed with three children: Ryan, Alicia, and Chad. The couple later parted ways. Randy later united with Diana Woebke and they made their home in Battle Creek. Randy welcomed Diana’s children, Chris and Stacy, into his family. After a long-term partnership, the couple were married on May 9, 2022. 

Randy worked in a variety of jobs through his years, including IBP in Storm Lake, and Midwest Industries in Ida Grove until his retirement in September 2010.

Randy loved the outdoors. Through his years you could often find Randy hunting the hills and fields around Battle Creek in the fall. He loved fishing, especially ice fishing, and enjoyed several walleye fishing trips to South Dakota in recent years. He and Diana enjoyed many camping trips and weekends at Crawford Creek. His home was decorated with many pieces of pheasant memorabilia and multiple Terry Redlin prints. It was not uncommon to find Randy near a radio, listening to country, classic rock, the latest news and weather, and Kansas City Royals baseball. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Diana Vermeys of Battle Creek, IA; children: Ryan Vermeys of Spirit Lake, IA, Alicia (Brenton) Watkins of Grimes, IA and Chad Vermeys of Cushing, IA; stepchildren: Chris (Jen) Woebke of Ida Grove, IA and Stacy (Ron) Witter of Kingsley, IA; grandchildren Lianna, Paige, Maycee, and Charlie and step-grandchildren Deandra (Chris), Zach (Erin), and Tristian; siblings Donald (Catherine) Vermeys of Milford, IA, Carole (Clifford) Wascher of Lenox, IA, Eleanor Sanders of Bondurant, IA, Patricia (Leroy) Bathke of Dixon, NE, Doris (Ronald) Madetzke of Battle Creek, IA, Delores (Charles) Pierce of Battle Creek, IA, Laurence Vermeys of Pleasant Hill, IA, Glenda (Chuck) Jonas of Wahoo, NE, Susan (Patrick) Zeroth of Colo, IA, Lynne (Neil) Bjorholm of Battle Creek, IA; mother-in-law VaLaura Tarr of Battle Creek, IA; brothers-in-law John Tarr and Gerald (Shari) Tarr of Ida Grove, IA and Tom Sido of Edwardsville, IL; sister-in-law Mareta Vermeys of Battle Creek, IA; Navy brothers Roger (Julie) Kaelke of Sioux City, IA and Lyle (Julie) Bischof of Marion, IA; many nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends. 

Randy was preceded in death by parents Edward and Marianne Vermeys; brothers Fred Vermeys and Richard Vermeys; and sisters Vivian Kemker and Ginny Sido.