Aug.23, 1932-April 18, 2005

Word has been received of the death of former Pendleton furniture store owner, Fred Verstoppen, on Monday, April 18, 2005, at Yuma, Ariz.

Mr. Verstoppen was born Aug. 23, 1932, at Lewiston, Idaho. He moved with his family to Dayton, Wash., where he graduated from Dayton High School in 1951. He married Dixie Neal in 1951 and they moved to Pendleton in 1952. Mr. Verstoppen was in the furniture business Fred’s Furniture, in Pendleton, and was also an owner of the Dairy Queen. He and his wife later divorced.

He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and became a JCI Senator. He was also named Pendleton Boss of the Year in 1967.

He moved from Pendleton to Spokane and later remarried and moved to Yuma, Ariz.

He loved all sports and had served with the U.S. Navy.

Survivors include his wife, Iva, and children, Michael Verstoppen of Hermiston, David Verstoppen of Long Creek, Debbie Cramer of Palmer, Alaska, and Kathie Maben of Heppner; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Verstoppen, his father, Peter Verstoppen, sister, Bernice Verstoppen, and brother, Harold Verstoppen.