Velma Vernon

Velma Vernon, 97, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Sunday, March 30, 2008 at the Sioux Center Community Hospital.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 11am at the Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. R. Van Rathbun officiating. Interment will be held prior to the memorial service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

A prayer service will be held Wednesday at 10am at the Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 2pm to 8pm, with the family present from 6pm to 8pm at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Vernon Family prefers memorials to Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center.



Velma J. Vernon had been a Sioux Center, Iowa resident since November 1, 1937. She was involved in wide variety Sioux Center civic projects over the years, and was a member of Womens Club and the American Legion Auxiliary. For a three year period during World War II, Velma managed the Mutual Telephone Company in Sioux Center while her husband served in the US Army.

Velma was born on March 3, 1911 in Hocking, Iowa to Peter and Mary Jane (Hupton) Hayward, both of whom immigrated during their childhoods from England. During her teens, Velmas family settled in Woodward, Iowa where she graduated from Woodward High School in 1929. She went on to graduate from the University of Commerce in Des Moines. On December 23, 1934 Velma married Ross K. Vernon, an enterprising young man also from Woodward. Following their marriage, Velma and Ross lived in Woodward where Ross managed the local telephone company.

In 1937, they settled in Sioux Center after Ross became manager of the Mutual Telephone Company. As she and Ross established their own telephone companies throughout the area, Velma served as the business secretary. She enjoyed traveling, much of which was with Ross to attend communications meetings. She often played an active role in discussions and entertained other spouses in attendance.

Velma was an active member of the Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center where she was involved in Womens Ministries and the Friday Club. Velma was fond of spending time with friends and acquaintances. She particularly appreciated natures beauty and enjoyed outdoor activities.

Velma is survived by her husband of 73 years, Ross K. Vernon of Sioux Center; her daughter and son-in-law, Jane and George Korver of Marshall, MN and son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Carollee Vernon of Woodstock, IL along with her four grandchildren and their spouses: Kimberly and Scott Rasmussen of Tucson, AZ, Vince and Kim Korver of Marshall, MN, Cheryl and Gerry Wiebers of Scottsdale, AZ, Keith and Heidi Korver of St. Cloud, MN; 8 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters and brothers-in-law: Grace and Don Mercer and Sarah and Bob Maurice and a brother, Wilbert Hayward.