White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Verna Mae Blatchford, 89 years old, of Waterloo, Iowa, formerly of rural Independence, Iowa, died on Friday, July 22, 2011, at Friendship Village in Waterloo.  She was born on July 20, 1922, in Homer Township of Buchanan County, Iowa, the daughter of James Edward and Margaret Boyle (Kidd) Murphy.  She graduated from high school in Brandon, Iowa, with the Class of 1940, and later completed her B.A. degree at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa.  On February 22, 1946, she and Lawrence “Jake” Samuel Blatchford were married in Independence, Iowa.  He preceded her in death in 1982.  Mrs. Blatchford was a teacher in the Buchanan County country schools and also in the Lamont, Rowley, and Independence, Iowa, school systems.  She retired in 1988.  Mrs. Blatchford was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Independence and the Kings' Daughters.  Helping and working with children were always important to her as she was involved in the mentoring program.  Mrs. Blatchford dedicated her life to teaching and learning.  Upon retirement she was able to spend time volunteering, reading, and doing needlework.

Her family wishes to express a special appreciation to the staff of Friendship Village for their love and care over the past 6 years.

Mrs. Blatchford is survived by her daughter, Velda (Ronald) Phillips of Waterloo, Iowa, 3 grandchildren, Brad (Lynn) Phillips, Nathan (Sarah) Phillips, and Elizabeth Phillips, all of Gilbertville, Iowa, 7 great grandchildren, Kade, Jake, Jeffery, Isabelle, Max, Grace, and Isaiah, and 1 sister, Icil Jensen of Winthrop, Iowa.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, 1 son, Maurice Blatchford, 2 sisters, Donna Bonorden and Ruth Bird, and 2 brothers, Ray Murphy and Bernard “Bud” Murphy.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 25, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence, Iowa, with Rev. Scott Meador and Rev. J. Ron Weimer officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 24th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, and for an hour before services at the church on Monday.  A Memorial Fund has been established.