Vernon Jay “Dutch” Verbrugge, age 83, of Luverne, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.
He was born October 12, 1941, in Slayton, to Cornelius and Elizabeth (Gunnink) Verbrugge. Vernon attended Leota Christian Elementary School in Leota and graduated from Southwest Christian High School in Edgerton. He attended Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, earning an accounting degree. He served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea.
Vernon married Ruth Elbers on June 30, 1967, at the Steen Reformed Church. The couple lived in Worthington. Vernon worked at Cargill before he began working at Armour in Worthington. He retired in November of 2007. The couple moved to Luverne in January of 2021.
He was a member of the American Reformed Church in Worthington, where he served as usher, custodian and Sunday school superintendent for many years. He was also a member of the Jaycees, Cooties, Honor Guard, and the Worthington VFW, where he served as Quartermaster, and the American Legion, where he served as gambling manager.
He enjoyed bowling, watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and spending time with his grandchildren, and evening coffee runs to Perkins in Worthington, visiting with everyone he would see.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Ruth Verbrugge, Luverne; two children, Evan (Missy) Verbrugge, Luverne, and Lisa (James) Hagenson, Owatonna; three grandchildren, Riley (Kaylee) Verbrugge, Jackson, Minnesota, Emma Verbrugge, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Anna Hagenson, Owatonna, Minnesota; four siblings, Sylvia (Larry) Zevenbergen, Hollandale, Minnesota, Ken (Judy) Verbrugge, Silver Spring, Maryland, Percy (Sharon) Verbrugge, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Kathy Verbrugge, Wyoming, Michigan; brother-in-law Ed Elbers, Luverne; and a sister-in-law, Betty Elbers, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers-in-law, Wilmer Elbers and Chuck Kroese; and two sisters-in-law, Nelvina Kroese and Iva Elbers.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne, and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the American Reformed Church in Luverne, officiated by Pastor Mike Altena. Burial with full military honors provided by the Worthington American Legion & VFW will be in the Worthington Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
