VERNIECE I. LARSON, 92, of Cherokee, Iowa and formerly of Sutherland, Iowa, passed away peacefully, Saturday evening, March 23, 2013 in the Cherokee Villa Nursing & Rehab Center, just missing her 93rd birthday by
5 days.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 27th at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John's Church of Christ, rural Peterson, Iowa. Rev. Don Andrews will officiate. Burial will be in the St. John's Church Cemetery. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 a.m. at the church on Wednesday. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa Visitation will continue on Wednesday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Verniece Iona (Amendt) Larson, daughter of William and Bertha (Felten) Amendt , was born on March 28, 1920 at Peterson, Iowa. She was baptized at the Evangelical Reformed Church (now St. John's Church of Christ.) She lived out her childhood and received her education near Peterson at the Brooke School. Verniece attended Buena Vista College and received her Teacher's Certificate in Elementary Education on July 9, 1941. After her Graduation , she attended Drake University for one summer. Then over the next 7 years she taught students at Dickens, Calumet, Perry and Storm Lake.
On July 17, 1948 Verniece married Myrle Larson in a double ceremony with her twin sister, Berniece and Floyd Stewart at St. John's United Church of Christ. Myrle thought that teaching him instead of 25 or more students was enough of a job so Verniece retired from her teaching career. She later went on for additional classes at Buena Vista College to keep her certificate current and because of her love of learning.
Verniece and her husband lived on a farm northeast of Larabee for three years. Later, they purchased land from her parents and brother and farmed near Peterson for 20 years. In 1971 they retired and settled in Sutherland, Iowa. They enjoyed many wonderful times with their family and friends. They vacationed and the most memorable trip was to the Holy Lands. She was active with her church; volunteered at Sutherland Nursing Home; held political (Republican) causes at their home; enjoyed gardening, reading and history. But most importantly, she found so much joy in being a loving and devoted Aunt to her many Nieces and Nephews.
Her beloved Myrle passed away on November 1, 1996. Verniece stayed in Sutherland until 2003 when she relocated to the Cherokee Villa. Verniece's days at the Nursing Care Center were blessed by the kindnesses of family and friends and the staff at Cherokee Villa.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her one Brother and 4 Sisters: Wilbur and Dee Amendt from Lakefield, Minn., Birdline and Melvin Straub from Spencer, Iowa, Mabel and Leonard Luetkeman from Aurelia, Iowa , Leona and Karl Ehrhardt from Aurelia, Iowa , Berniece (Twin sister) and Floyd Stewart from Aurelia, Iowa.

Left to cherish her memory are over 30 grateful nieces and nephews and many other extended family and dear friends. The family extends their special thanks to the staff at Cherokee Villa for their skilled and compassionate care.
Memorial Contributions are welcomed in Verniece's name to the St. John's United Church of Christ, Peterson, Iowa.