Vernie E. Brake

Vernie Erlene Brake, one of six children of Ira Jackson Greenwood and Grace Ora (Ettleman) Greenwood, was born on December 6, 1920, on a farm near Glenwood, Iowa. She grew up and attended school in Thurman and Tabor, Iowa, graduating from Tabor High School in 1939. Following school, Vernie attended Tabor College for a year and began working at the Glenwood State School in the laundry department mending clothes.

Vernie and Harvey Lee Brake were married on September 22, 1942 at Rockport, Missouri. They made their home in Glenwood and were blessed with four children, Donna Veldynne, Conrad Lee, Sharon Marie, and Douglas Phillip. Harvey worked as a plumber for Records Hardware, Roth Packing as a butcher, and for the City of Glenwood as Superintendent of the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Vernie worked as a waitress at the Westside Cafe in Glenwood for many years as well as a head bank teller at the Mills County Savings and Loan. She retired in 1982.

Following retirement, Vernie and Harvey enjoyed camping and traveling. Vernie enjoyed many kinds of needlework, including knitting and crocheting. She also enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, and Solitaire.

Vernie and Harvey were married 45 years, when Harvey passed away on July 5, 1988, at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Vernie continued to make her home in Glenwood.

Vernie passed away on January 2, 2011 at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the age of 90 years and 26 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Harvey Brake; brothers, Burwyn Greenwood and Daryl Greenwood; sister Muriel Aughe and husband Clarence; and brother-in-law Irvin Aughe.

Vernie is survived by her children, Donna Chute and husband Vaughn of Council Bluffs, Conrad Brake of Thurman, IA, Sharon Beer and husband Michael of Earlville, IL, and Douglas Brake and wife Prayoonsin of Blue Ridge, VA; sisters, Leora Aughe of Council Bluffs, and Ellie McPherron and husband Neil of Glenwood; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Memorials suggested to Glenwood Public Library or Glenwood First Christian Church.