Verna Ann (nee: Kelly) Urban of Dubuque, IA, passed away on February 10, 2025. Verna, 71, was surrounded by her loving children Chris (Andrea), Andrew (Suzanna), and Kelly (Thom Breitsprecker) as she peacefully returned to her Heavenly father and reunited with the love of her life, Mark.

To celebrate Vera’s life a visitation for family and friends will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 17th, 2025, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Edward Mast officiating. Her burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens.

Verna was born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa, coming into this world on July 29, 1953. The second daughter of Lawrence and Zita (nee: Haas) Kelly. She met Mark Urban while working at Sandy’s drive-in when she was 17 years old. They were married July 14, 1973.

Verna loved with ease and purity. She was a perpetual caretaker and dedicated her life to service. She loved working with the campers at Albrecht Acres, made lifelong friendships during her administrative tenure at University of Dubuque, and was a committed booster to Dubuque community youth soccer. She was devout in her faith and embraced meaningful conversations and friendships with her bible studies group.

Verna’s life was defined by her fierce loyalty to family & friends, her passion for creative expression, and her curious spirit. Her memories were colored with Friday night date & game nights with her beloved Mark and their friends — playing cards, Nickel, Scrabble, anything that flexed her sharp intellect and quiet competitiveness. Anyone who knew Verna, knew she could craft her way out of a box. She shared her talent for cooking, sewing & painting with the world, but more notably, she shared cherished moments with her children and grandchildren with gatherings dedicated to creating & crafting. Maybe Verna’s dearest pastime was simply being with the people she loved. Camping along the Mississippi with Mark & their friends. Traveling the states in their camper. Painting parties with her kids and grandkids. Being the biggest cheerleader for all of her children & grandchildren. Ham jams with the family. These were the moments that colored Verna’s life with so much joy.

She is survived by her loving sisters Carol (Roger) Fischer and Kathy (Jim) Rauman. Her doting children Chris (Andrea) and their children, Zachary (19), Owen (17), & Evan (13); Andrew (Suzanna) and their children Jonah (17), Kathlyn (15), Nora (15), & Grant (11); Kelly (Thom Breitsprecker) and their five furry friends, including Verna’s precious cat, Lily.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence & Zita Kelly, and her beloved husband, Mark Urban.

The Urban family wants to thank the generosity & kindness shown by the staff at Stonehill Care Facility, Hospice of Dubuque, Leonard Funeral Home, and Dubuque Oncology. The grace and kindness we received has helped us navigate the void and sadness left by our loss. Everyone who met Verna felt her unique spirit and love of life. She will be forever missed.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Verna’s name to Albrecht Acres (http://www.albrechtacres.org/donate.html) or Iowa Donors Network (https://www.iowadonornetwork.org/give/make-a-contribution) to keep Verna’s legacy alive.