Verna Pithan

Verna Adolphina Erma Pithan was born on a farm in Soldier Township near Charter Oak, Iowa, on May 5, 1921, the daughter of Otto and Augusta Maas Baak. She passed away on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, at Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa, at the age of eighty-nine.
Verna was baptized in Christ at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Soldier Township, rural Charter Oak, Iowa, attended Lutheran school and was confirmed on April 14, 1935. Following her schooling and prior to her marriage, she worked at home and in a bakery in Charter Oak.
In the mid-sixties she moved to Charter Oak with her father and sister. On July 16, 1969, Verna was united in marriage to Nohna Pithan by Rev. A. I. Prouty at St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak. They made their home on the family farm north of Charter Oak.
She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and friend to many. She never had a bad word for anyone. She was an awesome cook and would often bake cakes and pies. She loved her yard and flowers. She had many interests including teaching Sunday school and Bible class for many years at Immanuel Soldier Township. She was a member of Ladies Aid and enjoyed quilting with the other women.
Verna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Nohna; one sister, Meta Baak; three brothers: Henry, Julius and Paul Baak; one daughter, Dorothy Rasmussen and her husband, Hans; one grandson, Brian Backus; one son-in-law, Jack Duncan; and one daughter-in-law, Peggy Pithan. Survivors include one son, Leonard Pithan of Charter Oak; one daughter, Lois Duncan of Denison; two granddaughters: Patty McCall and her husband, Mike of Castana, Iowa; Charlene Messereau and her husband, Jerry of Portland, Oregon; two grandsons: Nohna Rasmussen and his wife, Joelle of Portland, Oregon; Scott Pithan and his wife, Virginie of Mankato, Minnesota; five great-grandsons: Victor McCall and his wife, Jill; Kevin Backus and his wife, Casey; Ethan, Taylor and Cody Pithan; one great-granddaughter, Jennifer Anderson and her fianc, Ian Hillman; three great-great-granddaughters: Mallory and Macie McCall; and Miah Hillman of Austin Texas; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.