Verna Parham

VERNA MAE SCHMIDT PARHAM

Anamosa

Verna Mae Schmidt Parham, 90, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, after a brief illness.

Verna Mae Westphal was born Sept. 30, 1931, in Anamosa. She was the daughter of August and Minna Martensen Westphal. She was a graduate of Olin High School. Verna married Richard Schmidt on April 25, 1950, at Zion Lutheran Church, Wyoming, Iowa. The couple farmed for five years near Center Junction before moving to Anamosa. Verna went to work for Collins Radio, where she retired after 31 years in 1987. Richard preceded her in death in 2001.

Verna married John Parham Sr. in 2006. He preceded her in death in 2014.

Verna was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Anamosa. In retirement, she was a volunteer at the Anamosa Community Hospital and other local groups. She received the Governors Volunteer Award in 2009. Verna enjoyed gardening, traveling and sports events with her children and grandchildren. And she loved being with her family. For the past couple of years, Verna has lived at the Anamosa Care Center in Anamosa, Iowa.

Verna is survived by her son, Mike (Kathy) Schmidt of Springville, Iowa; her son-in-law, Ken Sickels of Marion, Iowa; her grandchildren, Joshua (Cheri) Schmidt of Springville, Iowa, Nicole (Kristian) Randstrom of Fort Collins, Colo., Lindsay (Andre) Kravtsova of Ukraine and Jamie (Joe) Lampe of Iowa City, Iowa; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; her daughter, Deb Sickels, in 2016; two grandsons, Eric Sickels and Jay Schmidt; a brother, Donald Westphal; and two sisters, Idalene Huston and Doris Antons.

Services will be held at a later date. Goettsch Funeral, Anamosa, has taken Verna and her family into their care. By visiting www.goettschonline.com you may share your thoughts, memories and condolences with Verna's family and sign the online guest book. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Camp Courageous in lieu of flowers.