VERNON JAY "DUTCH" VERBRUGGE, age 83, of Luverne, died Friday, August 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, SD, 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 & 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, MN; Emma Verbrugge, Lincoln, NE;  and Anna Hagenson, Owatonna, MN; four siblings, Sylvia (Larry) Zevenbergen, Hollandale, MN; Ken (Judy) Verbrugge, Silver Spring, MD; Percy (Sharon) Verbrugge, Sioux Falls, SD; and Kathy Verbrugge, Wyoming, MI; brother-in-law, Ed Elbers, Luverne; and a sister-in-law, Betty Elbers, Sioux Falls, SD.

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 4-7 pm Friday, August 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 am 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.