Verna & Bob Nance were Special Friends for many years. My husband Bob & I traveled with Bob & Verna together on many WMT Tours including Hawaii and the South Pacific Farm Tours. We had many Reunion Parties in
past years. We will never forget these Dear Friends, Verna & Bob Nance.
Our thoughts & Prayers are with you all.
Bonnie J. Humble
January 13, 2020
Sometimes folks come into your life in a minor way but just stick tight with a surprising friendship. Bob and Verna would pick up flowers for the ball park every spring at Noelridge Greenhouse.
I would panic every time they walked in because my mind always froze - Verna or Vera?? Vera or Verna?? It took about 20 years before I could rest easy and look forward with anticipation to our yearly visit from Bobby Ray and Verna.
As time went by and they retired to their golden years, they would stop by the greenhouse just to see what was going on and to see if Bob or I had gotten the biggest walleye that year. Verna would bring treats - that lady loved to bake, especially for someone who was diabetic. She baked out of love and I am forever grateful that she loved us!! We certainly loved them. The stories they could tell - Verna would scold Bob, "Bobby Ray, don't you be telling these girls about that!!" Bob would dutifully quiet down, Verna would let out a cuss word (yes, she used them) and tell the story anyway!!
Bob would drop Verna off to get her hair done, then sneak over to the greenhouse. One day he had gotten a cell phone, stopped on Council Street and walked over to the gardens. He needed help working it but did not Verna to know!! So we showed him the basics, let him call us a couple of times then he ran to the store to get the groceries he was supposed to be getting!
They even came over to my house to teach me the "correct" way to grow okra!
Verna, I can just picture you sittin on a hot pink cloud, your hair all done up and a big smile on your face.
Dan, Nancy, Pam and families - keep your memories close to your heart, you were some lucky kids - you had the best!!
Kristie Benzine
January 13, 2020
May your beautiful memories sustain and strengthen your family as you navigate the difficult days ahead. May your hears soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
With our heartfelt sympathy.
Mike & Kathi Webb
January 10, 2020
My sympathies to the Nance family on your loss. I had the privilege, and honor, of serving on the CR Kernels Board of Directors over 20 years with Bob. Thus I got to know Verna As a result. You will never......ever.....find two finer people in life than Bob & Verna. I admire them so very much. And I will miss both of them so very much. Praying that you all find peace within your grief. I’ll always remember your folks in my prayers. God Bless!
Craig Schulte
January 10, 2020
My deepest sympathy to all of you. We have so many fond memories of our years as neighbors on Richmond Rd. We were like a family. Please know that you are in my prayers. I was planning to come to the visitation, but the weather is too threatening. I was born the same year as Verna, but in Dec.
Dorothy Evans
January 10, 2020
My sympathy to Verna's family in her passing. She and Bob were great friends of my parents Milo and Nellie Cobb when they were boosters for the Cedar Rapids baseball team. They shared many good times over the years in their love of baseball and the young guys on the teams. I always looked forward to seeing them with their bright smiles and interest in our families. They all had such fun exchanging stories and keeping up on each other's families. Dad and Bob especially had fun exchanging stories about their farm based careers. It's just not the same at the ballpark without them there, but I'm sure they will keep tabs from their bleacher seats in the sky.
Chris Galligan
January 9, 2020
I'm sorry I won't be able to come to the services. I loved Verna very much! She was a great lady!The best the cook in the world! My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family. Now she will be with Bobby. Sharon Dunlap
Sharon Dunlap
January 9, 2020
I worked with Bob at WMT and we loved when Verna would share her yummy pies with us. I had never had pear pie...my one and only. Enjoyed their friendly smiles at Kenwood church and it was always a treat seeing Verna at Hair Reflections. She will be missed by many. God bless
Sharon Reeves
January 8, 2020