Verna Massman
Verna Katherine Massman, 87, of Lansing died Monday, April 19, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, MN. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, April 24 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian with Msgr. Carl L. Schmitt as the Celebrant. Burial followed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church Cemetery, Ossian.
Verna was born August 29, 1933 to Joseph J. and Anna J. (Blong) Schmitt in St. Lucas. January 21, 1952, Verna was united in marriage with Albin Massman at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Fourteen children were born to this union. Shortly after their marriage, Albin left to serve in the Army during the Korean War. After his return, they started farming and spent the next 46 years building their dairy farming operation together.
Verna was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was famous for her homemade cinnamon rolls and bread and loved to cook. She enjoyed fishing, bird watching, playing cards, polka dancing, reading and all kinds of flowers. Verna was a member of the Rosary Society at St. Francis de Sales in Ossian and at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Albin.
Surviving Verna are her husband, Albin Massman of Lansing; her children, Joseph (Jan) Massman of Taylor, WI, David Massman of Ossian, Daniel (Kathy) Massman of Atkins, Deborah Schott of Ossian, Duane (Beverly) Massman of Leland, Barbara (Charles) Schultz of Hawkeye, Jerome (Brenda) Massman of Ossian, John (Lisa) Massman of Eldorado, William (Sherry) Massman of Ossian, Albin (Stacey) Massman, Jr. of West Union, Michael Massman of Ossian, Mark (Mary) Massman of Ossian and Kathleen (Mike) Becker of Norway, IA; 43 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Msgr. Carl L.
Schmitt of New Hampton, Emily Heying of Postville, Floyd (Deb) Schmitt of Castalia, Elaine (Roger) Kleve of Cresco and Raymond (Nancy) Schmitt of Las Vegas, NV; and many nieces and nephews.
Verna was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Schmitt; her son, James Massman; her grandsons, James Joshua Massman, Jamison Massman and Adam Lee Massman; her granddaughters, Mary Massman and Ashley Alane Massman; her sisters, Agnes (Cletus) Meyer and Marie Schmitt; her brothers, Anthony “Tony” Schmitt, Henry (Imelda) Schmitt and Clem Schmitt; and her in-laws, Frank and Lucy Massman.
Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian assisted the family with arrangements.
