Verna M. Ryan

Verna M. Ryan, 75, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Wednesday morning, May 17, 2017, at Stonehill Care Center, in Dubuque. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 22, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Bellevue. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Visitation for Verna will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the Hachmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bellevue and again Monday morning from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. also at the Funeral Home. Verna was born, July 16, 1941 on the family farm west of Bellevue, Iowa, the oldest of four to Antone and Bertha (Kilburg) Schwager. She graduated from Marquette High School in 1959. She raised her five children in St. Donatus, where she was a very active member of the St. Donatus Catholic Church. Verna always had a good work ethic which she passed on to her children. For years she ran an in-home day care and was the School bookkeeper for over 10 years. Verna later moved back to Bellevue. She quickly became very involved in the community, volunteering at the St. Josephs Hot Lunch Program and various activities at St. Joseph Catholic Church. She worked at Mill Valley Care Center in housekeeping and as an in-home elderly care giver. Verna immensely enjoyed playing cards and game nights with friends and most of all she adored her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed. Those left to honor her memory include her five children, Terry (Mary) Ryan, of Dubuque, Todd (Karen) Ryan, of Parkersburg, Iowa, Steve (Tami) Ryan, of Dubuque, Stan (Tammy) Ryan, of Dubuque and Cathy (Randy) Wehling, of Anamosa, Iowa; nine grandchildren: Kristi (Garret), Kelly (Jacob), Austin, Cody, Taylor, Josh, Emily, Katie and Mitch; two great grandchildren; Cooper and Brooks with one on the way; sister Darla Sieverding, of Bellevue; brother Larry (Nancy) Schwager, of Bellevue; and sister in-law Mary Ann Schwager, of Dubuque.She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Arnie Schwager and brother in-law Don Sieverding.In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Vernas name.The family would like to especially thank the Bellevue Ambulance and the caring staff at Mercy Medical Center, Stone Hill Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for the special care and compassion shown to Verna and her family the past couple of months. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com.