Verna Carnahan, 92, of Gilman, died on Monday, November 20, 2023, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell and under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, November 24, 2023, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Her family will receive friends for visitation held prior to the service beginning at 9:00 am. Interment will be in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Grinnell Christian Church, Care Initiatives Hospice, or to UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center, and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Verna's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Verna Lou (Musselman) Carnahan was born April 5, 1931 at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa to Vern P. and Hattie M. (Hendrickson) Musselman. She was raised in Newburg, Iowa by her grandparents, John and Bertha Hendrickson, and her aunt, Helen Hendrickson, after the death of her mother, when she was 2 ½ years old.

She attended Newburg Consolidated School District, graduating in May of 1949. During high school, she was active in basketball, glee club, school plays, yearbook staff, class secretary-treasurer, and was salutatorian of her class. While in high school, she was the only girl in a class of six and worked as a telephone switchboard operator and at the grocery store. She met her one and only sweetheart, Paul Carnahan, while in junior high school, although she didn't realize it at the time. He made his first impression on her by throwing a dead snake at her. Soon after the shock and dislike wore off, Cupid's arrow landed and the rest was history.

On June 26,1949, Verna was married to the love of her life, Paul E. Carnahan at the Newburg Congregational Church. They made their home on farms around the Newburg and Gilman area their entire life together, finally settling in their current homestead southwest of Gilman for the last 56 years. Their love gave birth to a family of six children: Steve, Dan, Greg, Mark, Linda, and Scott. This created 12 special grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way:

• Steve & Jacque - Matt (Kara) - Avery, Brynn, Cash; Ryan (Megan) Evelyn, Griffin; Jessica (Justin Kimberley) – Jayden, Ashton.

• Dan & Pat – Nathan, Molly, Emily, Amy

• Linda & Dan – Dayna (Jacob Eckhoff) – Kinlee, Laina, Cameron; Ashley (Jon Kowalski) – Liam, coming December 2023.

• Scott & Brenda – Grant, Kyle (Paige) – coming January 2024, Margaret (Micah Melton) – Benjamin.

Verna was known for being tough and spunky, along with her love and passion for her family. She had a strong faith in God and spent many hours reading her Bible and praying for them throughout her life.

Early in her married life, she helped out on the farm, but later went to Marshalltown Community College becoming a nurse. She worked at Grinnell General Hospital and in local doctor's offices for 25 years. She was a member of the Grinnell Christian Church for the last 37 years and at the Gilman United Methodist Church before that, being involved teaching Sunday school, VBS and Bible studies.

One of her labors of love was making a special quilt for each of her grandchildren who were a light and source of joy in her life. She loved attending sports, music and any activity that her children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren were involved in. She enjoyed being a hostess and providing food for others in times of need or inviting others over to enjoy a meal and games. She loved to dance and was known for being an excellent dancer with her favorite partner Paul. She enjoyed playing golf, exercising, walking, performing a variety of crafts and needlework, playing board games and traveling. Many of her fondest memories were the 10 years they spent wintering in Texas.

Verna is survived by her husband of 74 years, Paul Carnahan of Gilman; Steve (Jacque) Carnahan of Elkhart, IA, Dan (Pat) Carnahan of Gilman, Mark Carnahan of Gilman, Linda (Dan) Koch of Reinbeck, IA, and Scott (Brenda) Carnahan of Marshalltown, IA; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way. She was preceded in death by her son, Greg (age 3); mother; grandparents; and her aunt, Helen.