Verna Emerson

A Celebration of Life is going to be on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 11 am to 2 pm at Crowne Point Community Center, in the Great Room, 6300 Pioneer Parkway, Johnston, Iowa 50131.

Verna was born on July 16, 1947, to Verne H. and Betty O. (Howard) Emerson in St. Charles, Iowa. She graduated from Lorimor High School in 1965. After high school, she was united in marriage to Larry James Bell. They had one daughter, Tammi. Verna was a homemaker for her family during this time. Larry passed away in December 1967. Verna also worked as a secretary for the Iowa Department of Transportation until her retirement in 2010.

Verna was a member of the Red Hat Club and the Good Sam Club camping group. Later when the Good Sam Club dispersed some of the campers continued camping together as the Iowa Camping Friends for years to come. Verna enjoyed playing bingo, crocheting, and watching John Wayne in westerns. She had a green thumb and loved flower gardening. Most of all, Verna dearly loved spending time with her family, her bag was always packed and ready to go on new adventures.

Verna was a very caring and easy-going person. She never got worked up about life. The glass was always half full. One of her quotes was “The hand that you were delt you played to the best of your knowledge and now it’s a learning lesson.” Verna always found the good in people.

Verna is survived by her daughter, Tammi Bell; grandson, Roman Bell; her sister, Carolyn (Tim) Mikkelsen, and her cat, Mister. She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry Bell; her parents, and granddaughter, Ranea Kay Bell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the family and will be dedicated to a tree at Glenbrooke Park in Ankeny and that will be close to the picnic table in memory of her granddaughter, Ranea.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com for the Emerson family.