Verna Marie (Gosch) Bahr, age 88, of Wall Lake, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2007, at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake.

Verna was born on February 19, 1919, the daughter of Fred and Elizabeth (Schwarz) Gosch on a farm west of Wall Lake where she grew up and attended country school.  She graduated from Wall Lake High School in 1937.  Verna was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake and later transferred to Emmanuel Lutheran at Lake View.

On April 30, 1940, Verna was united in marriage to Melvin Bahr.  They farmed northwest of Wall Lake.  This union was blessed with a son, Don and two daughters Helen and Julie.
    
Verna worked as a secretary for Kettering and Bohnenkamp for 25 years, retiring in the fall of 1983.  In her younger years, Verna enjoyed fishing with Melvin and her children, gardening, and canning.  She also enjoyed sewing, knitting and playing cards.  Her family was always very important to her.  She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved spending time with her family.
    
Survivors include her husband, Melvin who resides at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake; her son, Don Bahr and wife Carolyn of Artesia, NM; two daughters: Helen Johnson and husband Bob of Okoboji, IA, and Julie Groh and husband Rev. Carl of Fremont, NE.  Other survivors include 10 grandchildren: Joshua Groh of Iraq/Hawaii, Andy Groh of Sioux City, IA, David Groh and Ben Groh of Fremont, NE, Randy (Michelle) Bahr of Wall Lake, IA, Bonnie (Ed) Ehmann of Simla, CO, Susan Bahr of Artesia, NM; Bob Bauman of Creston, IA, Stuart (Cindy) Bauman of Arlington, TX, and Kristen (Mitch) Hurst of Woodinville, WA; nine great-grandchildren: Hanna and Preston Bahr, Brandy, Erika and Eddie Ehmann, Kristina Bahr, Adam Bauman, Unity Anderson, and Natalie Bauman; two step great-grandchildren: Shae and James Hurst; and two great-great-grandchildren, Feath and Skyle Applegate, and many extended family members.
    
Verna was preceded in death by her parents; half brothers: Carl, Emil, and Elmer Lange; half sister, Melinda Hoefling; and cousin Alma Hummel.
    
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 1, 2007, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lake View with Reverend James Travis officiating.  Burial will be at the Wall Lake Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.
    
Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Sunday, November 30th at the funeral home in Wall Lake.