Steve Vermeulen passed away peacefully Thursday, March 8, 2018. He was born in Belgium on July 14,1935 to Pete and Betty Vermeulen. When he was 14 years old, he, his brother Andy, and their parents, moved from Belgium to the US. Their port of entry was Ellis Island in New York, and eventually ended up in Montana. One of Steve’s proudest moments was to become a US citizen. He spent many years in various parts of Montana. In 1960, he married the love of his life, Norma Dunn in Billings, Montana. They made their way to Washington state where they resided for the rest of their years. Steve and Norma were blessed with two beautiful children from previous marriages, Pat Cross and Jim Vermeulen who were the focal point of their lives together. One of Steve’s most rewarding accomplishments was to raise his grandson Tim Evans after the passing of Pat.

He was always known for his work ethics and hard work. He worked delivering milk, a job he so enjoyed since many of his customers would have coffee and breakfast waiting for him. He also had various construction jobs with LW Vail, and worked many years on Hanford site as a bus driver.

Steve and Norma made their home in the Tri-Cities, but were well known for their passion to move. We lost count around the 20th move. The usual requirement was that it had to have horse property, as to fuel their other passion of raising and showing  Quarter horses. Steve and Norma were known for getting on the road every weekend to attend and show the horses, and so enjoyed the lifestyle and all the friends they made along the way. Both of them were known for their ability to spot a good horse and have many Grand National Champion trophies to acknowledge their skill. His passion for horses stayed with him to the

very end.  He attended the National Championship Quarter Show  in Texas, November 2017 with his good friend Ron Sabin.

Second to many homes was the desire for always having a different car, just like the houses it was hard to keep tally on the latest purchase.

You could always count on Steve for a lively, colorful conversation, that usually started with “what’s going on”, and would turn to the topics he loved on horses, the latest "best damn deal” he got on a house, a car or his life with his father “the old man” . We will all miss his stories and zest for a good deal. He was always willing and anxious to learn new technology. Goes without saying he came across a bit gruff, but truly had a soft heart.

We are all fortunate to have had Steve as part of lives, and will be missed by all. It gives us comfort to know he has moved on to once again be with those he so loved, his wife Norma, son Jim, and daughter Pat.

Steve is survived by his brother Andy Vermeulen, Pasco, sister-in-law Blanche Neilsen, Bozeman, MT, brother-in-law Jim Dunn (Eileen) Battle Ground, brother-in-law Joe Dunn (Terry) Richland, grandsons, Tim Evans, Kennewick,Tim Vermeulen, Los Angeles, CA, daughter- in- law, Holly Vermeulen, Hartford, CT, nephew Pete Vermeulen, Pasco, niece Liz Vermeulen, Benton City, as well numerous nieces,and cousins.

Celebration of Life will be Saturday, March 17, 2018, 10:00 at Einan’s on the by-pass in Richland, burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Benton City.