Memorial
Heaven gained a special angel when Vera Frances Mehring, age 95, left this world on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
Vera’s rich and remarkable life began in London, England on April 22, 1928. She faced great adversity early in life, losing her father at a young age. She was just a teenager at the start of WWII when she was forced to separate from the rest of her family to escape the bombings in London. She was evacuated to Rushden, England where she lived with several foster families. But her fortunes changed, at age 17, when she had a chance meeting with her future husband, Leon Gabriel Mehring, at a USO dance. Leon was stationed at Chelveston, England with the United States 305 Bomber Group. 8th Air Force. That chance encounter led to marriage and they wed on October 20, 1945, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rushden, England. From there, Vera traveled to the United States on a hospital ship while Leon continued fighting in WWII. Vera lived with her husband’s family in Butte, Montana until they were able to reunite when Leon returned home at the end of the war. Vera was a proud duel citizen of England and the United States starting in 1948.
In 1960, Leon and Vera moved their 4 sons to Iowa, living in Des Moines where their daughter was born and then onto Cedar Rapids where they spent the rest of their lives. The family enjoyed camping, fishing trips back to Montana and “over the pond” to England. In her younger days, Vera loved her flower and vegetable gardens, and the last few years she especially enjoyed feeding and watching the birds, turkeys, squirrels, and deer that gathered in her backyard.
Her greatest joy was spending with her family. There was always a family get-together to look forward to and catching up on all the family gossip. She had a special connection with all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Being British, Vera was always interested in the Royal Family and she still had her English accent after all these years. She was always our matriarch and our queen.
Surviving family members include: David (Pam) Mehring, Stephen (Melissa) Mehring, Leon P. (Vicki) Mehring, Denise (Jerry) Vander Sanden and daughter-in-law Wilma (Dan) Rodgers. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Sadly her husband of 76 years, Leon Gabriel Mehring passed away on May 23, 2022.
Also preceding Vera in death were 2 children: James Gabriel Mehring and Stephen Patrick Mehring; two grandchildren, Micah Mehring and Joshua Mehring; her beloved sister and best friend, Rosina Bartosh; her parents, James and Lydia Handshaw; and her two brothers, Walter and James Handshaw.
The family would like to especially thank Vera’s primary Visiting Angels caregiver, Susan Corpman, who helped care for mom during the last 2 years with so much gentle compassion and love. We are also appreciative of Elaine Engen who just recently began providing mom with excellent care on weekends.
The last 9 days that mom was in Mercy Hospice care, her social worker, Carmen Frances Johnson, was a true blessing. We are also grateful to Chaplin Joe and Father Jack for all their spiritual guidance as well as the entire nursing staff, and volunteers at the Hospice House who were incredibly kind, compassionate, and treated mom with love and dignity. We thank you all for helping mom continue her journey to Heaven to join our dad once again.
Visitation for Vera will take place on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories Stateroom, from 2 – 4:00 pm.
A memorial service for Vera will take place on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 10:00 am at All Saints Catholic Church, 720 29th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403, with Father John R. Flaherty officiating.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor mom, please consider a memorial to either Hospice of Mercy, the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House or HACAP Food Reservoir of Cedar Rapids.
Vera will be forever missed by her family and friends and always remembered for her kind, compassionate, and gentle loving soul. She was a holy woman and an angel on earth – now she is our guardian angel in Heaven.