Edrie L. Verhelst

Edrie Verhelst, age 76, of Moline, passed away Monday, January 3, 2005, at her residence. Services are 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 7, at Riverside United Methodist Church in Moline, with the Reverend Janice Griffith officiating. Visitation is 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, at Trimble Funeral & Cremation Center, Moline. Burial will be in Rose Lawn Memorial Estate, Moline. Memorials may be made to Riverside UMC or Genesis VNA Hospice. The former Edrie Louanne Dopp was born December 8, 1928, in Davenport, the daughter of Richard and Norma (Hermiston) Dopp. She graduated from Moline High School in 1947. Edrie married her high school sweetheart, Richard Verhelst, on October 28, 1951, at First Methodist Church of Moline. In 2001, Edrie and Richard renewed their wedding vows at the same church as part of their fiftieth wedding anniversary. She was a member of Riverside United Methodist Church and was active in Methodist Women's Circle, serving as President. Edrie had a beautiful alto voice and sang in both the church choir and the Quad City Chamber Singers. An actively involved mother, she served as McKinley School PTA President and a Girl Scout leader. Edrie also served as an election judge for the Republican Committee. She and her husband were avid gardeners and members of the Quad City Dahlia Society. In her spare time, Edrie enjoyed family gatherings, reading, movies, bird-watching, and speeding through crossword puzzles. She loved to travel, and eagerly anticipated yearly visits to Door County with friends from high school. Edrie's brilliant mind and loving, compassionate nature will always be remembered by her family and friends. She made a difference in the lives of those who knew her. Survivors include her husband, Richard, of Moline; a son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Mary Beth Verhelst of Soldotna, Alaska; two daughters and a son-in-law, Luann Verhelst of Phoenix, Arizona, and Susan and Jim Peterson of Littleton, Colorado; and grandchildren, Abigail and Jonathan Verhelst, and Elise Peterson. She was preceded in death by her parents.