Verna Mae Mall of Davenport died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009 at Trinity at Terrace Park, Bettendorf, surrounded by her children.
Her funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 18, 2009 at St. Alphonsus Church, 2605 Boies Ave., Davenport, followed by internment at Mt Calvary Cemetery. A reception will follow. Visitation will be held at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries on Thursday, Dec. 17 from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Alphonsus Church or Quad City Right to Life.
Verna Mae was born Dec. 22, 1914 in Marquette, Mich. to George and Emily Woodbridge, who reared three other children, Florence, Harold and Howard. In 1934 Verna married Ralph Mall who was from nearby Negaunee, Mich.. The growing family moved to Davenport where Ralph worked as a machinist at the Rock Island Arsenal. In 1949 the still growing family moved to New Mexico and Verna and Ralph and the three youngest children returned in 1962 to Davenport.
Verna and Ralph raised seven children: David, George, Phillip, Mary, William, Paul and Roger, with George and William preceding her in death. She was proud of all their accomplishments.
Verna was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She loved and cared for her husband and children during 53 years of marriage. Ralph had a very serious disability that lasted for 23 years until his death in 1988. She had nothing but love for her children, grandchildren and friends who came to know and love her.
She considered Iowa and the Midwest the best place to live and raise a family. Her long-time neighbor, Mary Davis, was a special blessing as a dear friend of over 47 years. Verna loved to dance, frequenting the Wednesday dances at CASI. She was remarkably agile and vigorous to the end. Verna was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and retired as Commander of the local Navy Mothers chapter. She was devoted to her church, the Lord’s Prayer, and the recitation of the rosary.
The family acknowledges the kind, caring and competent treatment she received at Trinity at Terrace Park. And they are immensely grateful for the wonderful kindnesses shown to her over the years by friends.
Verna had many stories and anecdotes that she frequently shared with others that evolved from growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Those stories are cherished. Her presence on this Earth is sorely missed by all who knew her.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Verna’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
