Erma Varns, 85

Erma Jeanne Varns, 85, formerly of Red Oak, passed away Dec. 26, 2022, at The Center at Tucson in Tucson, Ariz., following a brief illness.
Jeanne was born June 25, 1937, in Red Oak, the daughter of Grover and Hattie (Penry) England. She was united in marriage to Reid Bailey on June 27, 1954. Reid was killed in a naval training accident in Hutchison, Kan., on July 28, 1955. To this union a daughter, Cynthia, was born. Jeanne later married Lowell Rupp, Jr., on March 9, 1956, and they were blessed with four daughters, Beverly Debra, Donna, and Susan. Jeanne then married Lyle Varns in 1974.
Jeanne’s greatest accomplishments were going back to school, getting her GED, and getting her associates degree in Mid-Management from Iowa Western Community College. She worked many different places over the years including Jennie Edmundson Hospital, Powell School, Murphy Memorial Hospital, Good Samaritan Nursing Home, D & L, CDS, and was a licensed home health care aide. Jeanne later bought the Finest Cleaners, operating it for several years before retiring and moving to Tucson.
She was a member of the Business and Professional Women, Red Oak Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, past president of the Eagles Auxiliary, Crimestoppers, and the First Christian Church. When she moved to Tucson, she was very involved in the Red Cross, Blue Star Moms, and on the board of the retirement community and food pantry of Rincon Country.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husbands, Reid Bailey, Lowel Rupp, Jr., and Lyle Varns; daughters, Cynthia Eggert and Susan Hadden; son-in-law, Ronald Siefert; brothers, Russell, Wayne, David, Roy, Ralph, Elmer, and John England; and sisters, Nellie England, Opal Koons, and Mary Kennedy.
Survivors include her daughters, Bev Hamman and husband Kenny, Debbie Siefert, and Donna Lynam and special friend Gary Newman, all of Red Oak; along with 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Patricia England of Clarinda; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
A graveside celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Evergreen Cemetery.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.