Verlene Niebuhr

Verlene Dee (Woodall) Niebuhr of Keokuk, Iowa passed away Friday, September 26 at her home in River Hills Village. She was born in the Hamilton County Hospital in Webster City, Iowa to Harold and Evadna Woodall. Her happy childhood was spent in Webster City where she graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957. In 1960, she married Don Niebuhr and they moved to Keokuk in 1961 where their three children were raised. They later divorced. Verlene worked for the Keokuk Public Schools for 12 years before she moved to Iowa Falls, Iowa in 1982. She returned to college, received her Associate's Degree from Ellsworth Community College and was employed there until her retirement in 2001. She returned to Keokuk and bought a home that she joyfully remodeled and maintained while working at Derr Motor Company until her second retirement in 2011. Verlene was an active member in the First Lutheran Church serving on the Church Council and Alter Guild. She would like to be remembered as being blessed with so many wonderful friends throughout her life. She is survived by her children Annette Niebuhr of North Liberty, Iowa, Lisa Niebuhr (Greg Theis) of Norwalk, Iowa, and Mark (Veronica) Niebuhr of Charlotte, North Carolina; two grandchildren Zoey Niebuhr and Sofia Niebuhr; brother-in-law George Vest, niece Vicki Vest, nephews Dana (Chris) Woodall, Bill (Debby) Woodall and Richard Vest (Cristina Johnson); grandnephews Parker (Emily) Woodall and their son Jameson, and Kyle (Michelle) Woodall and their son Cameron. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Wendall Woodall, sister Ardeth Vest, sister-in-law Dorothy Woodall, and nephew Robert Vest. The family wishes to thank all her many friends and the professionals at River Hills Village, Advanced Home Healthcare, Great River Health, Community Health Centers and Carthage Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care of our mom. A service will be held at First Lutheran Church on Sunday, October 5 at 2 p.m. followed by a reception for friends and family. A graveside service for family will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Lutheran Church and the Keokuk Public Library.