Virgil Block age 88, Adrian, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at his residence.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 4, at the Bethel Reformed Church.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Bethel Reformed Church, rural Little Rock, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Block family for later designation.
Virgil Lloyd Block was born September 5, 1933, near Little Rock, Iowa, the son of Henry and Margaret (Klaassen) Block. He grew up near Little Rock, attended country school and graduated from Little Rock High School. He continued his education at The Riesch Auctioneer School in Mason City, Iowa. He returned to his family and helped his father and brothers with the family farm.
On Sept. 23, 1953, he was united in marriage to Betty Lou DeBoer at the Bethel Reformed Church, rural Little Rock, Iowa. They had four children, Laura, Dan, Tim and Sally. Virgil and Betty farmed near Little Rock until they moved onto the current farm near Ellsworth where they continued to farm until retirement.
Virgil was a member of the Bethel Reformed Church, rural Little Rock, where he served as deacon and was active with other church functions such as the cemetery committee.
Virgil was a farmer through and through. He considered himself a John Deere Man, with green and yellow toys, tractors and signs found around the farm and house.
After retirement he continued to help his son and grandsons with the fieldwork. He was always willing to help any way he could. Springtime was a favorite time of the year with fieldwork and garden planting. The amount of vegetables and fruits produced were his pride and joy, and he loved to share the bounty with the community.
Virgil and Betty enjoyed listening to polka music and WNAX radio. He also enjoyed playing cards, throwing dice and visiting with friends and neighbors. Later in life he and Betty would frequently take drives through the countryside together. He will be remembered as a fun-loving man with a sense of humor.
On Jan. 27, 2022, Virgil’s wife of 68 years Betty passed away. He continued living at home until this past Tuesday when he died unexpectedly.
He is survived by four children, Laura (Steve) Fresk of Windom, Dan (Jo) Block of Adrian, Tim (Laurie) Block of Johns Island, South Carolina, and Sally (Scott) Roth of Red Wing; 11 grandchildren, Clayton (Kara) Fresk, Jessica (Adam) DeRosier, Spencer (Anna Lauren) Fresk, Bryce (Lindsey) Block, Brett Block, Bridgett (Josh) Gacke, Brittany (Tucker) Mabry, Brandon Block, Calvin Roth, Solveig Roth, and Anja Roth; 11 great grandchildren with one on the way in June; sisters-in-law, JoAnn Block, Joyce (Everon) Kanengieter, Eleanor DeBoer; many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Margaret Block; his wife, Betty; a sister, Darlene Heidebrink; and two brothers, Clarence and Clifford Block.
Arrangements were provided by the Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids, Iowa. jfh@jurrensfuneralhome.com.
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