Verna Marian Adams was born on February 1, 1925, to Carl C. and Jorgine (Jorgensen) Carlsen on a farm east of Harlan, Iowa. She passed away at the Rolling Green Nursing Home in Nevada, Iowa on September 16, 2015, attaining the age of ninety years, seven months and fifteen days. This followed a hospital stay where she had multiple illnesses.

Verna was the youngest of six children. She attended country school at Rabbit Hollow in Center Township. She had many stories of her childhood, her school days with her friends, and always had a great love for her kitties and birds, which continued throughout her whole life. Her greatest tribute was her children and grandchildren. She had so much pride in her children and grandchildren and loved every minute she could spend with her grandchildren. Her arms were made for holding babies and she did a lot of it. She was the "glue" that always held the family together. She always had something good to say about everyone and always had or made time for everyone who entered her life. She was very much a wonderful Christian lady and passed that on to her children. She was a wonderful listener and she would be the first one to offer help if someone was in need.

Verna Carlsen was united in marriage to Charlie Adams March 25, 1942. To this union 8 children were born; Alvin, Gene, Linda, Gary, Bruce, Galen, Robert, and Allan. Verna and Charlie farmed east of Irwin for many years. She kept very busy on the farm raising children, milking cows, doing chores, and raising chickens. Verna milked cows on the farm until 1993 when she was 68 years old. One of the pleasures that she had for many years was gathering eggs, cleaning and boxing them, taking orders from people in town and then delivering the farm fresh eggs to them. She really enjoyed and looked forward to the time visiting with people and getting to know them. One past time Verna really enjoyed was getting together with friends and playing cards. She had an awesome sense of humor and she loved telling jokes.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charlie in 1978; son Gene in 1962; her parents; sister Agnete, and brothers: Harold, Halvor, and Wilmer.

She is survived by her children: Alvin Adams and his wife Lauren of Des Moines, Iowa; Linda and husband David Brummett of Rogers, Arkansas; Gary Adams and wife Audrey of Congress, Arizona; Bruce Adams and wife Michelle of Ames, Iowa; Galen Adams and special friend Darla Anway of Nevada, Iowa; Robert Adams and wife Cheri of Breda, Iowa; Allan Adams and wife Holly of Van Meter, Iowa; sister Thelma Knudsen of Sanford, Florida; sister-in-law Alice Noelck of Melcher, Iowa; sister-in-law Harriett Gray of Sioux City, Iowa; sister-in-law Nonna Adams of Santa Cruz, California; sister-in-law Doris Anglin of Houston, Texas; 25 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and friends.

Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa is in charge of the services. A visitation with the family will be at the Pauley-Jones Funeral home Monday, September 21, 2015, from 5-8pm. The funeral will be at the United Methodist Church in Irwin, Iowa Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at 10:00 am. Interment will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin, Iowa.