Kingsley Man Promotes Heart Health After Life-Saving Surgery

Verschoor shares his story at annual 'Walk for Heart' event in Le Mars, Iowa.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Jack Verschoor of Kingsley, Iowa, had no warning signs before doctors discovered four severely blocked arteries during routine medical tests following a workplace injury. He underwent quadruple bypass surgery in May 2024 to restore blood flow to his heart. Now Verschoor is promoting heart health and sharing his story at the annual 'Walk for Heart' event in Le Mars, Iowa.

Why it matters

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America, and nearly 50% of Americans have at least one of three key risk factors - high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or smoking. Verschoor's story highlights the importance of regular checkups and preventative measures to maintain heart health.

The details

Verschoor had no symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, or tiredness before doctors discovered his blocked arteries. He underwent quadruple bypass surgery to restore blood flow. Now Verschoor walks 3 miles daily and has changed his outlook on life, saying he wakes up grateful for each day. The annual 'Walk for Heart' event in Le Mars promotes heart health through walking, education, and community resources.

  • Verschoor underwent quadruple bypass surgery in May 2024.
  • The 5th annual 'Walk for the Heart' event was held on February 6, 2026.

The players

Jack Verschoor

A Kingsley, Iowa resident who received life-saving heart surgery after doctors discovered four severely blocked arteries during routine medical tests.

Liz Rupp

A cardiac rehab nurse who spoke at the 'Walk for Heart' event about the importance of physical activity and other preventative measures for heart health.

Kingsley Care Initiatives

A team that walked in honor of Verschoor and Tony Russ, the husband of a staff member who also has heart issues.

Floyd Valley Healthcare

A healthcare organization that partnered with the Le Mars Area Family YMCA to host the 'Walk for Heart' event.

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What they’re saying

“Not getting enough physical activity can lead to a coronary artery disease over time, it's one of the precursors. We actually have stations set up to kind of highlight all of the risk factors in addition to inactivity. Keeping moving can kind of help with aging and heart health.”

— Liz Rupp, Cardiac rehab nurse (KTIV)

“I had absolutely no signs, no shortness of breath. I wasn't tired, no fatigue. It was a total surprise for both the doctors.”

— Jack Verschoor (KTIV)

“I wake up every morning, and I look up above and thank God that I'm another day. You know, everybody should be grateful for another day. And I've changed my outlook on life a lot because of everything that's happened to me.”

— Jack Verschoor (KTIV)

What’s next

Verschoor plans to continue attending the annual 'Walk for Heart' event to promote heart health awareness and share his personal story.

The takeaway

Verschoor's experience highlights the importance of regular checkups and preventative measures to maintain heart health, as 80% of all heart disease is preventable through controllable factors like physical activity, blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight.