Verla Dorlena (Potratz) Mullins, died in the early morning hours on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at her home in Center Point, Iowa, of cancer in the loving care of her nurse daughter, son, and St. Croix Hospice. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Center Point is assisting the family.
Verla was born May 26, 1938, on the family farm between Maynard and Westgate, Iowa. She was the ninth of ten children, the daughter of Rudolph and Agatha (Dettmering) Potratz, a sister to two brothers and seven sisters. Verla was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Westgate, Iowa, by Pastor Otto C. Schultz. She received her education at St. Peter Lutheran, Harlan #1 Country School during the war years in the 1940’s, Maynard High School, and was a 1956 graduate of Fayette High School in Fayette, Iowa, where she was the homecoming queen. Verla attended Capitol Business University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and graduated from Kirkwood Community College in 1983 with a Liberal Arts degree.
On June 9, 1956, she was united in marriage to Jon W. “Jack” Mullins at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Born to this union were daughters, Kelly and Karmin, and sons, William and Robert. Verla was employed by Farm Bureau Insurance in Fayette and Linn Counties, Kelly Temp Services in St. Louis, Missouri, and Eldon Dennison Insurance Agency in Center Point. Her favorite job was taking care of her family as needed during happy and difficult times and being a grandma. Verla was the biggest champion of her children, grandchildren, and family and her love never faltered through triumphs or travails. She was a faithful and active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Center Point for over 40 years until her health did not permit.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Jack in 2021; daughter, Kelly in 2013; son, William “Bill” in 2005; and her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Karmin of Center Point; son, Robert “Bob” (Beth) of St. Louis, Missouri, and their children, Kate and Alex; Morgan Mullins and Madison (Sean) Hart and their mother, Ann (Eric) Hamrick also of St. Louis; two sisters, Doris Gruetzmacher of Oelwein, Iowa, and Elinor (Lee) Alshouse of Marion, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
A memorial fund has been established. Condolences may be directed to the family at PO Box 396, Center Point, Iowa, 52213, and online at
www.murdochfuneralhome.com
under obituaries.
The family would like to thank Dr. Deborah Wilbur and her nurse, Paula, at Mercy Oncology Associates at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center for all their care on her journey with cancer. The family would also like to thank all of the staff at St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care of our mother. She appreciated the staff that supported her, Karmin, and Bob. Special thanks to St. Croix Chaplain Gordon Lewis for his weekly spiritual guidance. Karmin and Bob appreciate the family, friends, and neighbors who stopped to visit during this difficult time.
Jack and Verla contributed in many ways to their family and community. Their memories will be cherished by all who knew and loved them.
We love you Mom and Dad! ❤️