Verena Mae McLemore Mann, 97, passed away on September 6, 2026. She was born and raised in the Cookson Hills near Stilwell, Oklahoma, and lived a life centered on faith, family, service, and friendship.

Verena attended Indian boarding schools, completing grades one through nine at Seneca Indian School. She graduated from Haskell Indian School in 1948.

On May 13, 1950, Verena married William Don Mann. In 1956, they moved to Caney, Kansas, where they raised their three children, Lonnie, Harold, and Rita.

Verena spent her working years caring for others. She worked as a nurse’s aide at Caney Hospital until it closed, then continued as a home healthcare aide with Jane Phillips.

Her Christian faith was a lifelong source of strength. Verena belonged to the same church family for 70 years, where she taught Sunday school and actively participated in church life. She was the oldest member of her church.

After retirement, Verena enjoyed spending time with family and friends, game nights, shopping, dining out, and traveling. She was always up for an adventure. She especially enjoyed caring for her beloved Miss Kitty and watching her hummingbirds. She also adored her collection of frogs, which brought her great joy and became a special part of her home.

Verena is survived by her children, Lonnie and Debby Mann of Holiday Island, Arkansas; Harold and Marilyn Mann of Coffeyville, Kansas; and Rita Tiger of Skiatook, Oklahoma; her sisters, Mildred Baird, Doris Shawnee, Shirley Griffith, and Lula and Ted Patterson; grandchildren Tamara O’Connor, married to Casey; Talitha Tiger, married to Toronto; William Mann, married to Tara; Sharla Grayson, married to Timothy; and Lonna Freshley, married to Thomas; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Don Mann; her parents, Dora Hopper McLemore and Jess McLemore; brothers Richard McLemore, Ronnie McLemore, and Jess McLemore Jr.; sisters Frances Marino and Margaret Fields; and grandson Jason Tiger.

Verena will be remembered for her deep faith, caring heart, devotion to family, and the many lives she touched through her kindness and service.

Arrangements

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., with the funeral service immediately following from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Potts Chapel, 107 N. State Street, Caney, KS 67333.

Interment will take place Friday, September 11, 2026, at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, 1423 Cemetery Road, Fort Gibson, OK 74434. Interment will be private and limited to family.

Memorial donations may be made to Crosspoint Baptist Church of Caney, KS, or Harry Hynes Hospice.