Verlene Maher
June 1, 1937 ~ April 14, 2021
Verlene Elizabeth Maher age 83 of New Hampton, IA, died Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at New Hampton Nursing & Rehab.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with Rev. Brian Dellaert celebrating the Mass.
Interment will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery - Reilly Ridge, rural Lawler, with Matt Maher, Jared Maher, Jaycob Maher, Ben Hughes, Asher Hughes, and Mike Davis serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Jessalyn Davis, Jakayla Maher, Joessalee Maher, Renee Maher, Whitney Maher, Landree Maher, Lawson Maher, and Rhys Davis.
Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2021, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.
Verlene's remarkable life began on June 1, 1937, to John and Mary (Bieker) Baumler on the family's farm near Waucoma. She was the second oldest of four children and growing up, Verlene helped her mother and father with chores on the farm.
She attended school in Lawler, where she was an honor roll student and played on the Irish girls’ basketball team.
Soon after high school, she met Ronald Maher; the two fell in love and were married on April 12, 1958, at Our Lady of Mount Caramel Catholic Church in Lawler, Iowa. Their family grew to include Randy, Ronnie, Ricky, Robin, and Shelly (just so everyone knows, Shelly is an "R" but has never gone by Rachelle.
The family lived in the Jerico "neighborhood," where they farmed, raised their children, and had numerous pets - including dogs, cats, a bear, and raccoons - and we're not kidding when it comes to the latter two. Verlene's yard was immaculate; in fact, it looked like a park - complete with beautiful flower beds and a perfectly manicured lawn.
Verlene loved to play cards, especially euchre and 500, she was a charter member of the Kountry Kitchen Klub and she was simply the best mom - both to her kids and those that she met as a religion teacher, and as the mom at the house where all the Jerico neighborhood kids loved to hang out.
In the 1970s, for example, she was a mom to her five and many more kids. The Maher kids will tell you that they never had a meal at their home without "extra kids" from the neighborhood, and even today, those neighborhood kids, now in their 50s and 60s, still look up to Verlene.
She could be tough, and she had a gift for telling it like it was. But, the recipient always knew that Verlene's "straight talk" was filled with love, too.
In 1987, Ron and Verlene moved to DeWitt, and for several years, she worked in the Drapery Department at the Penny's store, but in the late 1990s, the couple moved back to the New Hampton to retire.
Verlene made the best — and we mean the best — 50-year-old original homemade barbecue sauce recipe she made for a Reilly Ridge supper and start selling it as a part of a side business she started. It was sweet yet had the perfect amount of "bite" in it, and all those who tasted that barbecue sauce knew they had experienced a culinary treat.
But she also had many other talents. She was an outstanding florist — she worked at House of Flowers for a time — and had a flair for decorating cakes for birthdays and anniversaries, graduations, and weddings. Her silk flower arrangements were put together with loving care and were simply beautiful. Her outside flowers; though; drew the most attention providing joy to everyone around her.
Verlene always put her family first. She loved her children, both her own five and all those she worked with throughout her life and adored her grandchildren and "greats."
She was a woman of deep faith who was a longtime member of Reilly Ridge Catholic Church, where she not only taught religion but also was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and a member of the Lawler Auxilliary. In her later years, she was a member of Holy Family Parish in New Hampton.
She will be missed dearly. As one of her former "kids" put it: "The world we live in needs more Verlenes in it. I am so glad I got to see her again a couple of years ago. She was still the same feisty, lovable, Verlene."
In other words, she lived a remarkable life, one that touched all those who were lucky enough to be a part of Verlene's world.
Verlene is survived by three sons, Randy (Ronda) Maher of Denver, CO, Ronnie (Linda) Maher of Lawler, IA, Ricky Maher of Elizabeth, CO; two daughters, Robin Maher of Denver, CO, Shelly (Brian) Hughes of Waukee, IA; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Sharl (Don) Kurtenbach of Lawler, IA, Linda Kuehner of Lawler, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ronald Maher in 2009; brother, Eugene Baumler; brothers-in-law, Lauren Kuehner, William (Tiny) Dowd, Richard Maher; sister-in-law, Sara Jo Dowd.
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Our thoughts and prayers to the Maher families. God bless.
Thoughts and prayers to all the Mahers.
Our deepest sympathy to her family.
She was such a beautiful person.
Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Amazing woman and family. Sorry for your loss and prayers to all.
Robin and family So Sorry for your loss.
Our family’s deepest condolences to all. Kim Kuehner Gwen Kuehner Jessica Grober Linda Kuehner Her BBQ sauce will be missed greatly and much more!
Thoughts and prayers to the Maher family.
Thoughts and prayers to the family.
We are so sorry for your loss, thought and prayers sent your way! Wonderful lady.
My deepest sympathy to the family
Our deepest sympathies to your family!
Sorry for your loss
My sympathy & prayer’s to all Verlene’s family.
Big Hugs to the entire Maher family💗🙏
Thoughts and prayers to all the family!
Deepest sympathy to the Maher family
Sincerest sympathies to the Maher family. Fly high my dear friend, Verlene. Love, Pat Arnold
Our sympathy to the Maher family.
Prayers to family and friends🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for all
Prayers to the family🙏🏻
Thoughts and prayers to all. Tom and Ruth
My mom, Shirley Ryder Beck talked alot about her. Sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers with her family and friends ❤🙏❤🙏
So sorry.
So sorry worked with her a very nice lady ! Prayers to her family
Our deepest condolences to the Maher families. May God bless you with great strength during this difficult time.
Sorry for your loss!
Please accept our sympathy.
I am so very sorry to read this!!! We had a special bond & I will miss my friend dearly. God Bless you Verlene <3
So sorry for your loss,thoughts and prayers with her family and friends🙏🙏🙏🥰🥰
Sending our deepest sympathies! Verlene Maher was a wonderful, caring, loving person. Hugs❤
Sending our deepest sympathies to the family. May she rest in peace.
Our condolences to the family.
Sorry for your loss, Sending prayers for the family 🙏
So very sorry to hear this. My deepest sympathy to you all.
Rest is Paradise Aunt Verlene. Such a strong and graceful woman.
Sorry for your family’s loss
Sending our sympathy and prayers to her family.
Or deepest sympathy to Verlenes family. Cherish the memories.
You have our love and deepest sympathy. We know the deep pain of grief and our hearts are with you now and always. Verlene was truly one of a kind.
My deepest sympathy to the Maher Family!!!!
Our sincere condolences to the Maher family.
Our Sympathy and Prayers to the Maher family.
Sympathy to all the family….
Sympathy to the Maher family.
Our sympathy to all the Maher family. It’s always hard to loose a parent, no matter the age or time.
So very sorry! Thoughts and Prayers to all your family! 🙏
Our deepest sympathy- Don & Keely
Sending our deepest condolences
Our deepest sympathy
So sorry to hear about Verlene passing. She was a wonderful friend and neighbor when you lived out here. Love and prayers to all of you
My deepest sympathy to the Maher family. Verlene was the sweetest and kindest person. Rest in peace dear friend.
To all of Verlenes familyr. Our deepest condolences to all of verlened family. Over the many years we have been friends has given us many memories which we will cherish. Heaven will have the most beautiful flower gardens with Verlene there. Rest In Peace Verlene.
We offer our deepest sympathy to Verlene’s family. She was a very nice lady that extended her heart to many.
SHE WAS SUCH A DEAR FRIEND TO ALL!!!
My deepest sympathy to all of Verlene’s family. Verlene was a special friend to so many of us and will be missed. We had many good conversations when we were able to gather at McDonald’s for coffee.
Shelly and family – our warmest condolences. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Sorry to hear of your loss. May her memories console you today. Our prayers to her family. Jeanne and David Roder
Our Deepest Sympathy to Verlene’s families. Prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time of Loss. James & Lyn (Meissen) Bailey
Our sympathy goes out to Verlene’s family. Always enjoyed coffee with her at MCDonalds. So sorry to hear this.
Our deepest sympathy to the Maher family. We enjoyed our neighborly friendship.
Prayers and hugs to family during this difficult time
Sending prayers to the family
Hugs to all you!!!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss
Thoughts and prayers to her family and friends!She was a sweet lady!I will cherish the recipes she shared with me!
So sorry to hear about your mom ❤️
Verlene, was a wonderful person, I had the pleasure of being her neighbor for 5 years. I realized after the first 5 minutes we met, she was very special. I treasure the few years I knew Verlene, she was a really caring person, and brought me joy, happiness and lots of advice. Then on the coldest winter days, she would often leave a hot dinner at my doorstep, she was a true friend and I will miss her. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. John Cowan
my sympathies to linda and family….I remember her sweet and patient smile as she put up with the antics of teenagers…
Sorry for your loss.
Sending our sympathy and prayers. Loved working with Miss Verlene❤️
Our sympathy to the family of Verlene. She was such a sweet lady. Maureen and Bill
Our sympathies to the Maher families during this time.
I am so sorry for your loss, she was an amazing person. Loved visiting with her and of course her tasty BBQ sauce. My condolences to your family
So sorry for your loss
Thoughts and prayers to everyone.
Deepest sympathy to Verlene’s family
Sympathies…sorry for your loss
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
My deepest sympathy to all of Verlene’s family. She will be missed by many, and so will he BBQ sauce and beautiful flowers. I loved to stop by and visit about the old days. She always had good stories to tell about my folks and her and Ronnie. She is at peace, and watching you all from heaven!
So sorry for your loss.
My deepest sympathy to the entire Maher family.
Sending our deepest sympathies to all of family, Verlene was truly a sweet and caring person. She lived all of her family dearly! Prayers and hugs! Stephen and Shelley Stalder
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Randy and family – our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Randy, Ricky & Family – Please know your family is in our prayers and our hearts. We pray you find peace and comfort in wonderful memories.
Sent with love and remembrance,
Our collective hearts are with the Maher family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our deepest sympathies to Verlene’s family and friends. The community will miss her.
So sorry for your loss.
Am so sorry for your loss..May her soul rest in peace with the Angels in Heaven..Deepest sympathy to all the family..
Your family & everything you stand for reflects they kind of parents with whom you were blessed. We have never met a Maher we didn’t respect & Love.
Our sympathies to the Maher Family. Patty and Lloyd Phillips
Deepest sympathies on your loss of a very special lady. Praying for you all. Ben, Tyler, Abbey & Laura
Maher family, Our hearts are with you during this time. We love you.
Verlene was a dear friend to many who loved everyone. She was very talented, thoughtful and caring. We will sure miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. With deepest sympathy, Ray and Joyce Lukes
Robin and Family Sending our deepest sympathy to all of you as you celebrate the wonderful life of your mom. Peace and love to you all.
So sorry she was Dad’s cousin
So sorry for your loss, she was a lovely gal, loved life, always had a joke for you and kept a straight face while she told you it. Our thoughts and prayers for the Maher family.
I am fortunate that Verlene made me a beautiful floral arrangement that I will always cherish along with her friendship.
Robin and Family, Your are in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers to the family! Tom, Penny, Miranda & Cody Fisher
Condolences to the Maher family from the Jirak family in Washington State. We have many great memories of Verlene and she will always be remembered for her kind heart and love for all. Sincerely, Gina Jirak
Sorry for your loss
Our sincere sympathies to Verlene’s family. Such a talented, gracious, & unique lady. Dr. Reams so enjoyed his time on the New Hampton Board of Health with Verlene. We, of course, fell in love with her BBQ sauce & in the 9+ years we were in Arizona whenever we made it up to New Hampton on a “home” visit we would call ahead for a visit with Verlene & purchase a supply of BBQ sauce as Dr. Reams felt it was the absolute best. Just like Verlene!! So sad that we were not able to have one more visit with her. She will be missed. But heaven is truly richer for her presence! Richard & Brita Reams.