Eric Lee Zehr resides in Oskaloosa
Eric Zehr, a well-respected entrepreneur in Iowa, passed away on August 5, 2025, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Born on December 10, 1963, in Manchester, Iowa, Eric led a life full of accomplishments, both in business and personal pursuits.
After graduating from West Delaware High School in Manchester in 1982 and earning his Associate's Degree in animal science from Hawkeye Technical College, Eric embarked on an exciting career path. His early post-college work took him to ranches in Wyoming, where he gained valuable experience.
Later, Eric shifted his focus to sales, particularly of Morton buildings, a type of prefabricated structure. He took great pride in this work, often pointing out nearly every Morton building in Iowa to his children during family trips. After his time with Morton buildings, he owned and operated appliance sales and repair businesses in Iowa. This entrepreneurial trajectory showcased a shift from agricultural/ranch work to building sales and then retail/service businesses in appliances.
Eric was married twice, first to Nyla VanRoekel, with whom he had three children: Benjamin, Nicholas, and Margaret. He later married Sherry VerPloeg in Oskaloosa in 2022. Eric was also a loving father to his grandchildren, Ty and Tate Zehr, Charles and Henry Albright, and a grandchild on the way.
In addition to his business ventures, Eric had a passion for various hobbies, including woodworking, gardening, canning, cooking, and leather crafting.
The funeral for Eric will be held at 10:00AM on August 9, 2025, at the Manchester Methodist Church in Manchester, IA. The interment will take place at the Oakland Cemetery, also in Manchester. In lieu of flowers, memorials for Eric can be made to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Eric's family, which includes his wife Sherry, his parents Richard and Dorothy, sister Dana McMurrin, brother Christian Zehr, and many other relatives, invites attendees to join them for a time of fellowship and a luncheon at the church following the interment. Eric's grandparents and a sister in infancy, Lynn Zehr, have passed away before him.
As per Eric's wishes, his body has been cremated. The family appreciates your prayers and support during this difficult time. Eric will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
[1]: Source for career path and business activities. [4]: Source for Eric's involvement in appliance sales and repair businesses.
- Eric's post-college career started in Wyoming, where he gained experience in ranches, before transitioning to sales of Morton buildings.
- Later in his career, Eric owned and operated appliance sales and repair businesses in Iowa, demonstrating an entrepreneurial trajectory from agricultural work to building sales and retail services.
- The funeral for Eric Zehr, who passed away on August 5, 2025, will be held at the Manchester Methodist Church in Iowa, followed by interment at the Oakland Cemetery.
- Instead of flowers, memorials for Eric can be made to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, in honor of his life and significant contributions to health and wellness.
- Eric, a man of diverse interests, had a passion for hobbies like woodworking, gardening, canning, cooking, and leather crafting.
- After his second marriage in 2022, Eric was a loving father to his grandchildren, Ty and Tate Zehr, Charles and Henry Albright, and a grandchild on the way, in addition to his children from his first marriage.
