Verna Massman

Verna Katherine Massman, 87, of Lansing, Iowa died Monday, April 19, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota. She was born August 29, 1933 to Joseph J. and Anna J. (Blong) Schmitt in St. Lucas, Iowa.

On January 21, 1952, Verna was united in marriage with Albin Massman at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa. Fourteen children were born to this union. Shortly after their marriage, Albin left to serve in the Army during the Korean War. After his return, they started farming and spent the next forty-six years building their dairy farming operation together. 

Verna was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was famous for her homemade cinnamon rolls and bread and loved to cook. She enjoyed, fishing, bird watching, playing cards, polka dancing, reading, and all kinds of flowers. Verna was a member of the Rosary Society at St. Francis de Sales in Ossian, Iowa and at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Albin, Iowa.

Surviving Verna are her husband, Albin Massman of Lansing, Iowa; children, Joseph (Jan) Massman of Taylor, Wisconsin, David Massman of Ossian, Iowa, Daniel (Kathy) Massman of Atkins, Iowa, Deborah Schott of Ossian, Iowa, Duane (Beverly) Massman of Leland, Iowa, Barbara (Charles) Schultz of Hawkeye, Iowa, Jerome (Brenda) Massman of Ossian, Iowa, John (Lisa) Massman of Eldorado, Iowa, William (Sherry) Massman of Ossian, Iowa, Albin (Stacey) Massman, Jr. of West Union, Iowa, Michael Massman of Ossian, Iowa, Mark (Mary) Massman of Ossian, Iowa and Kathleen (Mike) Becker of Norway, Iowa; forty-three grandchildren; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; her siblings, Msgr. Carl L. Schmitt of New Hampton, Iowa, Emily Heying of Postville, Iowa, Floyd (Deb) Schmitt of Castalia, Iowa, Elaine (Roger) Kleve of Cresco, Iowa and Raymond (Nancy) Schmitt of Las Vegas, Nevada; and many nieces and nephews.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Schmitt; son, James Massman; grandsons, James Joshua Massman, Jamison Massman and Adam Lee Massman; granddaughters, Mary Massman and Ashley Alane Massman; sisters, Agnes (Cletus) Meyer and Marie Schmitt; brothers, Anthony “Tony” Schmitt, Henry (Imelda) Schmitt and Clem Schmitt; and her in-laws, Frank and Lucy Massman.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1:00 p.m.  on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian, Iowa with a visitation two hours before Mass from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church on Saturday. Msgr. Carl L. Schmitt was the Celebrant.

Services were live streamed: www.facebook.com/CFOSparishes and www.youtube.com/user/frbobgross

Burial followed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church Cemetery, Ossian, Iowa.

Due to Covid-19, masks and social distancing are required.

Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.