Athens, Verna Lillian (1913-2008)

ATHENS, HANNO, NITZSCHKE, HAGAR, HALL, KIRCHOFF, BOREN, HAACK

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/14/2008 at 16:51:45

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, June 10, 2008

Verna Athens, 94, of Le Mars, died Saturday, June 7, 2008 at her home.

Verna Lillian Hanno was born Oct. 15, 1913, on the family farm in Henry Township the daughter of Fred and Laura (Nitzschke) Hanno. Verna was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Amherst Township, rural Marcus. She attended country school near her home and graduated from Remsen Union High School.

Verna was united in marriage to Lawrence Hagar on Sept. 17, 1932, at Flandreau, S.D. Verna has lived in Le Mars for more than 60 years. Lawrence died in 1946. She later married Elmer Athens on April 13, 1964 in Le Mars. Elmer died in 1993.

Verna was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars where she participated in Lutheran Women's Missionary League and the Sarah Circle. Verna enjoyed traveling and spending time in the great outdoors.

Verna's children would like to thank Judith and the staff of Park Place Estates for the wonderful care given to their mother.

Survivors include her children, Lawrence Hagar and his wife Linda of Phoenix, Ariz., Lowell Hagar and his wife Lorna of Council Bluffs, and Laura Hall of Edmond, Okla.; two stepsons, Roger Athens and his wife Betty of Le Mars and Sonny Athens of Le Mars; a daughter-in-law, Karen Hagar of Le Mars; 18 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren and 18 step-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lola Kirchoff of Fergus Falls, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, a son Robert Hagar, great granddaughter Mary Boren; stepson Larry Athens; three brothers, Irvin, Loren, and Elmer Hanno; and a sister, Edna Haack.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Larry Fett officiating. Private family interment will be in the Remsen Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be after 5 p.m. today (Tuesday) followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Pallbearers will be Mark Hagar, David Hagar, Gregory Hagar, Christopher Hall, Cheryl Rueter, Angie Mannino, Cary Penning, and Jennifer Boren.

Memorials can be directed to Hospice of Siouxland or Grace Lutheran Church.