Verla May Fern Bente

Verla May Fern Bente, 71, of Garnavillo, Iowa, died at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City on Saturday, May 13, 2017. She was born November 17, 1945 in Guttenberg, Iowa, the daughter of Everd and Opal (Noack) Tuecke. Verla was raised and educated in the area graduating from Guttenberg High School in 1964. She received a bachelors in elementary education from Upper Iowa University in Fayette. Verla was united in marriage to Robert L. Bente on July 5, 1969 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Guttenberg. Together they farmed south of Elkader. Verla taught elementary school in Garnavillo and Elkader. In 1977, they bought the IGA grocery store in Garnavillo; operating it for 38 years until 2015 when they retired. Verlas faith was very important to her. She was an avid member of several churches, teaching Sunday school for 11 years. She enjoyed playing piano, reading, and she especially enjoyed her family and attending their events. Survivors include her husband Robert; three daughters, Kristina (Darwin) Miller of Elkader, Katie (Clint) Elledge of DeWitt, and Karen (Chris) Taylor of Dubuque; seven grandchildren with one on the way; and four siblings, Darlene Dutka of Guttenberg, Louis (Velma) Tuecke of Garnavillo, Esther Fehlhafer of Garnavillo, and Everd Tuecke Jr. of Guttenberg. Verla was preceded in death by her parents; son in infancy; brothers Donald and Delmer Tuecke; and one sister Lorna Tuecke. Service Information Visitation Tuesday May 16, 2017 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home and Crematory Services 001 South Industrial Park Rd Garnavillo, IA 52049-0035 Visitation Wednesday May 17, 2017 10:00 AM to 10:55 AM St. Paul's Lutheran Church 104 S. Adams St Garnavillo, IA 52049 Funeral Service Wednesday May 17, 2017 11:00 AM St. Paul's Lutheran Church 104 S. Adams St Garnavillo, IA 52049 Interment Garnavillo Community Cemetery 501 West Centre Steet Garnavillo, IA 52049