Verona M. Mitchell

Verona M. (Murphy) Mitchell

Verona M. (Murphy) Mitchell, age 91, passed away on September 5, 2025, at Accura HealthCare of Shenandoah, IA.

She was born on October 17, 1933. She grew up in Lincoln, NE. After graduating from Cathedral High, she attended St. Elizabeth School of Nursing. She received her RN cap in 1955.

Verona met Harold on a blind date set up by mutual friends from Lincoln. They were married on November 26, 1955, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Lincoln. They spent 63 years together farming. They lived in Sprague and Hickman, NE, before moving to Hamburg in March of 1957. They lived on the farm until the flood of 2011 when they moved into town.

When the kids were small, she worked as a private nurse overnight. She later worked at the old Hamburg Hospital and Grape Community Hospital. In 1979 she began working at the Sidney Health Center where she retired in 1999.

She was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hamburg. She was a member of the Altar Society, Parish Council, and served on many committees for the Harvest dinners. She taught CCD and RCIA for many years.

She served on the Fremont County Extension Council. She was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader until the kids decided 4-H was a better fit. She then transitioned into a 4-H leader. She taught many young ladies how to sew and quilt. She was a member of ABWA, PEO, and was a charter member of Heritage Needlework Guild in Nebraska City.

She enjoyed doing many different types of crafting including painting ceramics, knitting, and sewing. Mending three quarter rips on jeans and coveralls became muscle memory. She made clothes and doll clothes for her girls. In 1975 she began quilting and then moved on to making dolls. She had fun creating personalities for each new doll. She was an avid reader of who-done-its and loved crossword puzzles and word jumbles.

In addition to her husband Harold, she was preceded in death by her son, Tom Mitchell; parents, Leonard and Mabel Murphy, in-laws Glen and Alice Mitchell, and grandson Douglas Brake. In-laws William Lehr, Peter Kortum, Wayne and Velva Mitchell, and Lyle and Fran Mitchell.

She is survived by her children: Debra and David Brake of Sidney, IA, Linda and Gary White of Hamburg, IA, and Chuck Mitchell of Pella, IA; grandchildren: Kim (Aaron) Ashlock of Hamburg, IA, Dustin (Melody) Brake of Sidney, IA, Don (Rose) McCown of Watson, MO, Dan (Mindi) Brake of Hamburg, IA, Makaella Mitchell of Ankeny, IA, and Braedyn Mitchell of Grinnell, IA; many great-grandchildren; sister Kathleen Lehr of Lincoln, NE; in-law Robert and Roma Rhodes of Exeter, NE, Don and Margaret Mitchell of Sprague, NE, Daryl and Carolyn Mitchell of Hickman, NE; and many many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Hamburg Cemetery in Hamburg, IA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hamburg.

Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg, IA is in charge of arrangements.