Vera Nadine (Kleppe) Hyland, 93, a resident of the Bishop Drumm Retirement Community, Johnston, IA, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2019 of natural causes. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.
Vera was born March 18, 1925, to Herman Kleppe and Mary (Yanecek) Sevig in Norway, Iowa. She lived most of her life in Iowa with a brief but “wonderful” few years in Orlando, FL during World War II, where she was active in the chamber of commerce and various military service organizations, and had a part-time modeling career.
Moving back to Walford, IA, her cousin, Ray Waychoff, introduced her to a former Cedar Rapids Rockets professional baseball teammate of his, William D. Hyland. They fell in love and were married on September 15, 1951 at the Great Lakes Naval Base where he was stationed. They moved back to Iowa to raise a family and were together until his death in 2007. She moved into the Bishop Drumm Retirement community in 2008 and enjoyed the community life there until her death.
Vera is survived by her four sons, William Mark Hyland of Des Moines, IA, Steven (Lou Ann) Hyland of Windsor Heights, IA, Daniel Hyland, of Chandler, AZ and Michael (Susan) Hyland of Charles City, IA; and two brothers, Gordon (Shirley) Sevig of Walford, IA and Dale (Susan) Sevig of Goodyear, AZ. Vera was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved sister, Joy Kleppe Corbett; husband, Bill; and a grand-daughter, Khristina Riles.
Vera loved her family and even though they were scattered all over the country, she enjoyed their visits especially when all could be together. She also loved music, playing the piano, especially when her sister Joy accompanied her on the violin, watching baseball, travelling, board games, puzzles, as well as reading and journaling. Vera volunteered and participated in the many events held at the retirement community and acted as ambassador for new residents. She was given a long life and though we must say goodbye to her now we can rest assured that she was welcomed with loving arms into her new heavenly, eternal home. She will be missed.
Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Bishop Drumm Retirement Community.