Verla Mayme Clow

December 4, 1924 - February 5, 2024

Verla Mayme Clow, age 99, passed away on February 5, 2024 in Davenport, IA. Verla would have hated that we included her middle name but the rest of the family always loved it.

Verla was born on December 4, 1924 to David and Gladys Geiger in Morton, IL. She was shortly followed by the arrival of her sister, ”Bernie” in 1927 and, later, by her brother, David in 1938. The Geiger home was loving and warm; Verla, Bernie and David had a wonderful childhood, spending time in the garden with their dad and in the kitchen with their mother. Verla absolutely adored her parents and maintained a long and affectionate relationship with them until their deaths.

In 1942, Verla met “Dick” Clow and, following a whirlwind courtship, they married. Their first child, “Ricky” was born on November 1943 in Durham, NC where Dick was stationed in the Army. Shortly after Ricky’s birth, Dick was deployed overseas to fight in World War II and Verla returned to Morton to live with her parents and siblings. Tragedy struck in March 1945 when Ricky accidentally died. Those who knew and loved Verla know that this was a trauma from which she never fully recovered. It was one of her greatest heartbreaks to send that letter to Dick, informing him of the loss of their son. After the war, Dick joined Verla in Morton and, in September 1946, they welcomed their second son, “Denny”. Denny was an easy-going child, which helped when his delightful tormentor, “Debby”, was born in July 1951. Verla was a stay-at-home mother during their childhood, preparing many of their favorite meals including numerous pies and cookies which became the foundation for her entire family’s love of sweets.

Verla and Dick were loving and hands-on grandparents to their granddaughter, Wendy Sue, after the loss of Debby's husband and Wendy’s father in 1972. Every afternoon after school, Wendy arrived on their porch seeking snacks and entertainment. This continued when Verla and Dick relocated to Venice, Fl with Denny, Debby and Wendy following shortly thereafter. It was in Venice where Verla discovered her calling in customer service managing banks, a candy store, and, finally, at “Treasures in Time”. After losing Dick in 1995, Verla continued working, hanging up her final ornament in her 90s. She loved working on the “Avenue” and connecting with the shop owners and regulars of the local specialty stores which enabled her love of shopping, chocolate, holiday decorations, and connecting with people, sharing stories of her miniature schnauzers.

Verla lived a long and happy life. She spent her final years returning to Bettendorf, IA where she lived with her daughter Debby and her standard schnauzers, which she claimed annoyed her, but in truth, brought her much delight in her last months.

Verla was preceded in death by her mother, Gladys Verna Moobery, father, David G. Geiger as well as her husband, Howard Richard “Dick” Clow, son, Richard Lee “Ricky” Clow and grandson, Brian Clow. She is survived by her siblings, Bernadine and David (Barbara); her son, Denny Clow, daughter, Debby Clow Wilcox, granddaughters, Wendy Wilcox, Jennifer Micho, and Mandy Saavedra and great grandchildren, Adrienne, Willow, and Eden.

Special thanks to Genesis Hospice nurses and aides and to the Davenport Lutheran Home for her continued care.

We will all miss having Verla in the world.