Elroy Robert Verplank of Bloomington, MN was called home to Jesus on January 16, 2024 at the age of 83. He was born January 4, 1941 to Elroy S. and Bertha N. (Teatro) Verplank in Detroit, Michigan. His family moved to New Richland, Minnesota in 1948 where he grew up and went to school. He attended Rochester Junior College and Dunwoody Industrial Institute where he studied drafting and architecture. After college, Elroy served in the Army National Guard for six years. He then worked for Harmon Glass for 46 years as a salesman of commercial glass and glazing.
Elroy and Judy were married on March 19, 1977 and moved to Bloomington, Minnesota where they raised their three children. Elroy enjoyed fishing at his lake home on Lake Sullivan, as well as taking many fishing trips to Mille Lacs Lake, Canada, and the Great Lakes. He also loved deer and pheasant hunting with his friends, reading, building projects, coaching football and baseball, assisting with Cub Scouts, bird watching, traveling, and most of all, spending time with his family at their lake home. During retirement, he and Judy enjoyed visiting the North Shore and going on several cruises and bus trips.
Elroy said one of his biggest accomplishments was staying sober for 50 years. He worked with people with addictions through AA and Faith Partners. He was also involved in Stephen's Ministry, Eucharist Ministry, and was on the Buildings and Grounds committee at St. Edwards Church. Elroy volunteered weekly at the VEAP food shelf and was a member of the Knights of Columbus as well.
Elroy was preceded in death by his parents Elroy and Bertha, brother-in-law Ernie Resler, father and mother-in-law Ferdinand and Clarinda Erickson, sister-in-law Laurel Will, and nephew Logan Will. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Molly (Dan) English, sons Kristoffer (Clare) Verplank and Erik Verplank, grandchildren Lily and Wyatt English, Andrew and Ingrid Verplank, Caroline, Emily, and Jakob Verplank, great-grandsons Oskar and Nikolai Beach, sister Janet Resler, sister and brother in-law Beth and Dave Sparks, and Tom Erickson, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Services will be held at Church of St. Edward, 9401 Nesbitt Ave S, Bloomington, MN on February 16, 2024 at 11 a.m. with visitation for 1 hour prior at 10 a.m. Livestreaming will be available at www.stedwardschurch.org/funerals. Private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association www.lbda.org/donate or to the family.