Verlyn J. DeWall

Verlyn James DeWall was born December 13, 1923, the son of Rudolph and Ida (Peton) DeWall in rural Terril, Iowa. He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran in Terril and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran in Estherville. At the time of the Depression, his parents left the farm and moved to Estherville. His formal education was received in the Estherville school system. At the age of eighteen, Verlyn (or Skinny as he was known to friends) entered the US Army and served with British forces, operating a steel barrel factory in Egypt. His early employment opportunities were casual -an understanding storekeeper made cutting boxes and stocking shelves for Skinny and his sister Ginny a beginning of gainful employment. Upon his return to civilian life, he worked in electric motor repair in Estherville. After a short period of time, Skinny & a partner opened D & E Electric in Emmetsburg - specializing in large motor and generator repair. In the mid-1960's after selling his partnership in D & E Electric, Skinny was employed by Camp Okoboji-Wahpeton, Hansen Clothiers & Dry Cleaning-Spencer and Crescent Beach-Wahpeton maintaining the resort for 16 years. Concurrently in the late 60's, he built a cottage in Breezy Heights-Wahpeton on Emerson Bay. In the 70's he served as the Wahpeton Zoning Administrator. It was also about this time that he invited his sister Virginia to consider his home 'her home' also. Skinny spent much of his free time enjoying a wide variety of hobbies including but not limited to bowling, semi-pro baseball, flying, boating, skiing, fishing, hunting and going to 'coffee'. Skinny enjoyed all aspects of living in the Lakes area. For those who were close at hand, it took not a moment to realize that this man had stories to tell. And stories he told! After the death of his sister Ginny, his health concerns began to limit his mobility. In 2006 he moved to WEL*Life-Spirit Lake and after several hospitalizations spent his last months in Hilltop Care Center-Spirit Lake. Skinny departed this life at noon on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at Lakes Regional Healthcare. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church-Spirit Lake where he served as chairman and member of the Christian Education committee for many years. He was an enthusiastic supporter & advisor of JOY Camp-a camp his sister started at Camp Okoboji for children and adults with mental and physical challenges. He was not afraid to share the love of His Savior with anyone he encountered. Skinny was a Life Member in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was active in the American Legion. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister and his beloved sister Virginia (Ginny). He is survived by a number of distant relatives and a legion of friends.