Fiedler, Verna

Verna Fiedler, 94, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at the Karen Acres Health Care Center in Urbandale, following a brief illness.

Verna Louisa Kohlenberg was born Feb. 20, 1919, near St. Donatus, Iowa. She was the daughter of Arthur and Evaline (Felderman) Kohlenberg. Verna graduated from the Bellevue High School class of 1936. She continued her education at the University of Dubuque earning her B.A. in 1941. Verna taught at Jackson Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, until after she was united in marriage to Ivan G. Fiedler on Oct. 14, 1956, at St. John Lutheran Church in St. Donatus. She was Ivan's partner in the dairy farm they owned near Anamosa. Verna also worked as a substitute teacher for many years. Ivan preceded her in death on Sept. 26, 2002.

She was involved in a variety of St. Paul Church and community activities including church circle, church choir, church quilting group, Church Women United, Antioch Social Circle and was a 4-H leader. Verna enjoyed gardening, quilting and playing cards with family and friends.

Left to honor her memory are her daughter, Sarah (William) Thorn of Des Moines; granddaughter, Carolyn Thorn of Des Moines; two stepgranddaughters, Arwen Thorn and fiance Adam Tool of Des Moines and Cassandra Thorn Peterson of Indianola; four stepgreat-grandchildren, Caelen Thorn, Sidney Peterson, Samuel Peterson and Charles Tool; two nieces, Joann Kasik of Dubuque and Jeanette (Jim) Jamieson of Plymouth, Mass.; and a nephew, Lynn (Eileen) Kohlenberg of Bellevue.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Lawrence Kohlenberg.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 1, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Anamosa, followed by internment at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

Published in The Gazette Feb. 26, 2013.