Obituary of Nelverne Marra

Nelverne Carol (Humme) Marra, the daughter of Arnold and Kate (Vos) Humme, was born on October 29, 1928 at rural Hull, IA. She lived her youth in Lyon and Sioux counties, and received her education in a country school northeast of Hull. On February 23, 1949, she was united in marriage to Theodore "Ted" Marra at the First Reformed Church in Hull. To this union two sons were born, Keith and David. Following their marriage the couple lived on a farm near Hull for two years and later moved to a farm northwest of Sanborn. They were engaged in farming together, along with raising their two sons. Nelverne worked for the Campbell's Soup Co. in Worthington, MN for 19 years. In 1988, the Marras retired and moved into Sanborn where Nelverne worked for Letty's Draperies. Following a battle with cancer, Nelverne passed away at the Spencer Municipal Hospital in Spencer, IA on September 14, 2010, at the age of 81. She was a member of the First Reformed Churches in Hull and Sanborn. She belonged to the Women's Guild, taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and sang in the church choir. Her strong faith allowed her to fight her cancer courageously. She loved gardening, sewing, and cooking. She was an avid sports fan, especially for the local Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn teams, and the Minnesota Twins. Nelverne enjoyed taking trips with Ted during their retirement years. She loved and cherished being with her family. She was a devoted wife and loving mother. Her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren were the light of her life. Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Ted, of Sanborn; two sons, Keith Marra and his wife, Beryl, of Arnolds Park, IA, and David Marra and his wife, Jerilyn, of Sanborn; three grandchildren, Rory Marra of Milford, IA, Reeann Marra of Ida Grove, IA, and Derrick Marra, a student at SDSU in Brookings, SD; five step-grandchildren, Emily Van Beek and her husband, Bruce, of Sioux Center, IA, Martha DeWeerd of Sanborn, Grace Bisch and her husband, Josh, of New Market, MN, Guthrie Claus and his special friend Ashley Feucht, and Evan Claus and his wife Regan, all of Inwood, IA; nine step-great grandchildren; two brothers, John Humme of Delanson, NY, and Pete Humme and his wife, Sylvia, of Orange City, IA; three sisters, Norma Vander Meulen and her husband, Alan, of Ocheyedan, IA, Mary Vant Hul and her husband, Harlan, of Rock Valley, IA, and Donna Humme of Sioux Falls, SD; one sister-in-law, Wilma Humme of Rock Valley, IA; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Nelverne was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, James Humme and David Humme. In loving memory of Nelverne C. Marra Born ~ October 29, 1928 Died ~ September 14, 2010 Age ~ 81 years 10 months 15 days Funeral Service 10: 30 a.m. Saturday, September 18, 2010 First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Gary Hegstad Organist ~ Jill Dykstra Pianist ~ Judy Dykstra Duet ~ James and Rachelle Vanden Bos "He Washed My Eyes With Tears" Congregational Singing Processional ~ "Blessed Assurance" #572 "He Lives" # 368 Recessional ~ "How Great Thou Art" #147 Pallbearers Rory Marra Derrick Marra Reeann Marra Gerrit Marra Kenneth Marra Bradley Vander Meulen Mark Vant Hul Flower Attendants Jackie Van Engen Arlene Ver Mulm Naomi Bosch Ushers Rod Jacobsma John Van Wyk Burial Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa