Verna I. (Hosier) Collier

Verna Irene Collier, 94, formerly of Clarion, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on December 2, 2019 in Pacific Palisades, California.

Memorial services for Verna Collier will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at 11:00 AM at the United Presbyterian Church, 219 1st Street North West in Clarion, with Pastor Bill Kem officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at Sunny Hill Cemetery in Adair, Iowa.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Verna was born January 4, 1925 to Laura and Harry Hosier in Adair, Iowa. She attended Adair schools, taught country school in the area and then attended AIB Business School in Des Moines where she also worked at Iowa Power and Light as an accountant.

While in Des Moines, she met the love of her life, a handsome young teacher and coach named Lou Collier. Verna and Lou were united in marriage on June 30, 1956 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They lived in Aurelia for a year and moved to Clarion in 1957 where they made their home along with their daughter, Ann. Lou taught and coached and Verna was the owner of her own real estate company. She moved to Pacific Palisades, California in 2013 to be near her family.

Verna was a longtime member of the United Presbyterian Church. She served as a Sunday school teacher, a deacon and an elder and was very active in many church activities. Her faith was extremely important to her. She also loved her volunteer hours with the Hospital Auxiliary and the many school and community activities she was involved with. Bridge and other card games and time spent with her many dear friends were also some of Verna’s favorite pastimes.

Amid all of her accomplishments, Verna’s roles as a mother and grandmother were her most treasured. She was always there to help, cheer, counsel, hug and share her tremendous love of life and sense of humor. She was known to drop everything in order to help her family and friends when needed. Her grandchildren, Jeff and Samantha, were the lights of her life!!!

She made friends wherever she went. Her kindness, compassion, positive attitude and wisdom were always welcome and will be greatly missed. She earned the respect and admiration of people from all walks of life. Many folks have a special place in their hearts for Verna!

Verna is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Ann Handler and her son-in-law, Adam Handler of Pacific Palisades, California; her grandson, Jeff Handler of London, England and her granddaughter, Samantha Handler of Evanston, Illinois. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lou Collier in 1994, her parents, her five brothers, and her two sisters.

Verna’s family will miss her so very much but feel at peace knowing she is with Lou and family and friends in Heaven.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion, Iowa or to a charity of your choice.