Verle Lee Kuiken was born March 27, 1940, on a farm near Athens in Jewell County to Edward and Elsie Kuiken.
Edward died in May 1941, just after Verle’s first birthday. Verle and Elsie moved back in to live with his grandparents, and Elsie worked to support them.
In 1950, Elsie met Ernest Tack at the Downs Celebration and was married to him in 1951. At that time, Verle, Elsie and Ernest moved to the Tack Farm, south of Lebanon. Verle attended the Stuart Grade School and Lebanon High School, graduating in 1958. He married Gail Killinger in 1962. They were divorced.
Verle was his mother’s caregiver, following her strokes. She introduced him to her “Home Health Aide,” Barbara in 1996. They soon began dating, and eventually married on Oct. 2, 1999. Verle and Barbara lived on the family farm until March 13, 2021. At that time, they moved to Hilltop Lodge Assisted Living, Beloit. Due to his failing health, Verle moved to Hilltop Lodge Nursing Home, where he passed away on Dec. 13, 2021.
He is preceeded in death by his parents, one step daughter, Patrica Macklin, mother-in-law, Oneta Alley, brother-in-law, Frankie King and sister-in-law, Kathy King
Verle is survived by wife Barbara of Hilltop Lodge Asssited Living, Beloit, step-children Jean Tharp and husband Jim of Smith Center, Sandi Preuss and husband Eldon of Stuttgart, Dean L. Macklin of Olivia, N.C., Duane Macklin and wife Sheryl of Smith Center, Susan Macklin of Olivia, N.C., Franklin Macklin of Colorado Spring, Colo., Susie Piner and husband Darrell of Louisville, Colo., Danny Standley and wife Loretta of Wichita, several cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and many friends.