Verla Kay Iwen

Verla Kay (Hemmingson) Iwen, 78, of Great Falls, died Wednesday, April 20, 2016, from undetermined medical complications in a Bozeman hospital, knowing that she was surrounded by loved ones who commended her to Gods care.Verla, the youngest of 6 children born to Elmer and Genevieve (Hall) Hemmingson, was born February 10, 1938 in Kenmare, ND. Her family later relocated to Albany, MN where she attended school, graduating from Albany High School in 1956. Verla was active in the school choir and played the saxophone in the band. She also loved playing the piano and spending time with her many friends.She obtained her teaching degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and later went on to teach the 3rd grade for several years in Great Falls, MT.Verla met her husband and love of her life, John Iwen, in Great Falls and they were married in Rugby, ND on August 22, 1962. They made their home in Great Falls and that is where they raised their three daughters.Faith was important to Verla throughout her life. She was a baptized and confirmed Lutheran. During her years in Great Falls, she was first a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and later Bethel Lutheran Church. She honored her Norwegian heritage, was an incredible cook and writer, loved to garden and travel, adored her dogs and was a voracious reader, something she passed on to all of her daughters. She was in the Junior League, served on the PTA, and when she stopped teaching became a stay-at- home mom and later a legal secretary for her husband, John.Verla had some incredible long-time friends and loved her many, many nieces and nephews. She enjoyed the fun and adventures that came along with being a part of her Lunch Bunch.Nothing in this life brought her greater joy than her grandchildren and great-grandson. They were her everything and she loved to talk about and with them, follow their activities and correct their manners and grammar when and where possible. She was in the process of moving to Bozeman to be closer to them when she suddenly passed away. She spent the last few weeks of her life enjoying their many visits.Verla was preceded in death by her parents; husband John; and all five siblings, Gloria, Cleo, Boyd, Jack and Jean.She is survived by her children, Jennifer Blossom (Ray Harrison) of Belgrade MT, Katherine Larsen of Sioux Falls, SD and Sarah Rohret (Shaun Rohret) of Butte, MT; grandchildren Jennah Kay Blossom, Colton Blossom, Jeffrey Larsen, Samuel Larsen, Aidan Rohret and Ryan Harrison; and great grandson Johnathon Blossom.A celebration of Verlas life will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Great Falls at 2:00 p.m. Immediately following the service, both Verla and Johns remains will be buried together at Highland Cemetery with a reception at Schnider Funeral Home following the burial. Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Chief Joseph Elementary School Library, 5305 3rd Ave. S, Great Falls, MT 59405 for the purchase of books in her honor, or Great Falls Animal Shelter C/O Adoption Fund, PO Box 5021, Great Falls, MT 59403. Please mention Verla Iwen memorial in the memo line of your check.