Erma Ver Steegt, 94 of Montezuma passed away Tuesday evening, April 28, 2026 at the UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 pm Friday, May 8, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Evangelical Church in Montezuma. Burial will be held in the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mason's Lighthouse. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Erma LaRue Ver Steegt, the daughter of Kenneth and Della (Guyer) Meldrem, was born on October 7, 1931 in Brooklyn, Iowa.  She graduated from Montezuma High School with the class of 1949. On May 21, 1949, Erma was united in marriage to Harold "Fat" Ver Steegt. To this union three, children were born, Ron, Mark and Patty. Erma worked for Sutherland Printing in Montezuma before working as a clerk for Alexander Drug in Montezuma for over 25 years. She enjoyed cross-stitch, playing cards with her family, antiques and was a cake decorator for many years. She was a faithful member of the Montezuma First Presbyterian Evangelical Church and was very active with the Presbyterian women.

Erma's memory will be cherished by her sons, Ron (Jan) Ver Steegt and Mark (Lynn) Ver Steegt; two grandsons, Aaron (Samantha) Ver Steegt and Mac (Randi) Ver Steegt; three granddaughters, Ellie Bowen, Ashley (Robert) Hood and Julie Lewis; 12 great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; her sister, Evelyn Davis of Grinnell; her brothers, Larry (Harriet) Meldrem and Jack (Jane) Meldrem, sister-in-law, Joyce Meldrem; brother-in-law, Henry Zuidema as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold "Fat" Ver Steegt; her daughter, Patty Ver Steegt; a great grandson, Tyler; her brother, Denny Meldrem; a brother-in-law, Howard Davis and a sister-in-law, Carol Meldrem.