VRCHOTA, Verna Ruth (Winchell) 1918-2005

VRCHOTA, WINCHELL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/5/2011 at 23:09:49

Verna Ruth Winchell Vrchota

MASON CITY — Verna Ruth Winchell Vrchota, 86, of Mason City died Monday (April 18, 2005) at Good Shepherd Health Center following a short battle with cancer.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1405 S. Pennsylvania Ave. with the Rev. Bill Poland officiating. Her cremated remains will be interred at Park Cemetery in Nora Springs.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Verna was born on Nov. 17, 1918, in Mason City, the daughter of Verona and George Winchell. She attended Mason City schools and graduated in 1936. For several years she worked at a local law firm.

Verna was united in marriage to Curtis Arthur Vrchota in Albert Lea, Minn., on Aug. 24, 1940. They resided on 12th Street S.E., where they raised six children. Verna was a Girl Scout leader in the 1950s and 1960s. Verna was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church. She served as the bookkeeper in the 1970s.

Verna enjoyed crocheting and making crafts for church bazaars. She shared her enthusiasm for nature by accompanying her family on walks where she identified flowers, trees, birds and rocks. Verna and Curt took particular pleasure in playing cards and taking senior bus trips.

Verna is survived by her husband of 64 years, Curtis of Mason City; a sister, Gladys Renshaw of Burnsville, Minn.; son, LeRoy of Azusa, Calif.; daughter, Janet (Mario) Riservato of New York City; son, Dale (Carol) Vrchota of Louisburg, N.C.; daughter, Jolene (Joe Schneider) Vrchota of Seattle, Wash.; daughter, Jean Holland of Montgomery, N.Y.; grandchildren, Chane Vrchota of Richmond, Va., Justin and Luke Riservato of New York City, Alyssa and Lace Holland of New York City and Shelley Vrchota of Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters: Gertrude Peterson and Dorothy Winchell; a brother, Robert Winchell, and one son, Bruce Vrchota.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or Wesley United Methodist Church.

Major Erickson Funeral Home, (641) 423-0924.

Globe Gazette, April 22, 2005