Verona E. Kirchhoff, 81, of Tripoli, died Sunday evening, May 21, 2017, at the Cedar Falls Health Care Center with her loving family by her side.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Scott Duffus officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services on Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made in Verona’s name to the Shrine Hospitals, Grace Lutheran Church, and V.F.W. both in Tripoli.  

Verona Emma, daughter of Herbert and Louise (Pipho) Judisch was born October 29, 1935, at Buck Creek, rural Sumner. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church-Buck Creek. Verona received her education at St. John Lutheran Church-Buck Creek’s Parochial School and graduated from Sumner High School in 1953. She was united in marriage to John Hanson at St. John Lutheran Church- Buck Creek. To this union one daughter was born, Debra. John’s death occurred in 1956. On April 8, 1959, Verona was united in marriage with Vernon Kirchhoff at St. John Lutheran Church-Buck Creek. To this union four children were born, Becky, Randy, Tammy, and Julie. The couple made their home in the Tripoli area. Verona worked as a Nurse’s Aide at the Sumner Hospital prior to being a homemaker. She was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli, where she was very active in the Women’s Guild and other church activities, 4-H leader in Tripoli for many years, V.F.W. Women’s Auxiliary in Tripoli, County Farm Bureau Board, and Waterloo-Cedar Falls Women’s Shrine Auxiliary. Verona enjoyed playing bingo, bowling, and golfing.

Verona is survived by her husband, Vernon of Tripoli; five children, Deb (Dean) Mirs of Tripoli, Becky (Dale) Shonka of Tripoli, Randy (Pia) Kirchhoff of Tripoli, Tammy (Alan) Geweke of Tripoli, and Julie (Kevin) Pearce of Omaha, Nebraska; fourteen grandchildren, Chris Mirs of Texas, Leslie (Nick) Kaeding of North Liberty, Tyler (Sarah) Shonka of Tripoli, Mike (Kaylin) Dornbusch of Waterloo, Taylor Dornbusch of Iowa City, Kyle (Brittney) Kirchhoff of Tripoli, Tanner (Mary Reding) Shonka of Tripoli, Kalie (Kris Schuldt) Kirchhoff of Winterset, Grant Pearce of Omaha, Taylor Geweke of Tripoli, Trent Pearce of Omaha, Kara Pearce of Omaha, Jordan Geweke of Tripoli, and Brianna Kirchhoff of Tripoli; five great-grandchildren, Carson Kaeding, Piper Shonka, Chloe Kaeding, Kayson Kirchhoff, and Kohen Kirchhoff; one sister, Lavonne Moeller of Tripoli; one sister-in-law, Mardell Kirchhoff of Cedar Falls; and several nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, John, she was preceded in death by one sister, Arlene and her husband Wilbert Brase; and two brothers-in-law, Lloyd Moeller and Dennis Kirchhoff.