Orrell May Veren

Orrell May (Sietmann) Veren
April 19, 1928 – February 21, 2026

Orrell May (Sietmann) Veren, age 97, of Laurel, Iowa, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026, at Ramsey Village Continuing Care in Des Moines, Iowa.

A private burial service will be held before a celebration of life at Laurel Community Church on April 19 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Laurel Community Church.

Orrell was born April 19, 1928, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Harry and Mamie (Bollhoefer) Sietmann. She graduated from Laurel High School in the Class of 1946. On September 25, 1949, she was united in marriage to James “Jim” Veren at the Evangelical Church in Laurel. Together they made their home on the family farm west of Laurel, where they built a life rooted in faith, family, and hard work.

Orrell was a devoted farmer and partner to Jim, working alongside him in the fields while caring for their home and raising their family. She was a longtime member of the Evangelical Church in Laurel, later part of Zion United Methodist Church, and was active in United Methodist Women. Her homemade angel food cake was a favorite at church gatherings and community events.

Family was at the center of Orrell’s life. She loved preparing Sunday dinners and holiday meals, sewing, decorating with flowers, and attending her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s activities. Fall harvest was especially meaningful to her, and she treasured riding in the combine with her grandson Luke. The farm was a place of joy, games, and togetherness for generations of her family.

Orrell was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Jim Veren; her son, Vic Veren; her granddaughter, Hillary Curran; her parents; and her siblings, Clifford Sietmann, Phyllis (Sietmann) Cosby, Wilma Sietmann, and Katherine (Sietmann) Whitman.

She is survived by her children, Jenette (Patrick) Curran of West Burlington, Iowa; Cynda (Chuck) Hilsabeck of Altoona, Iowa; Shelly (John) Sabatka of Madison Lake, Minnesota; and daughter-in-law Kathy (Vic) Veren of Marshalltown, Iowa.

She was a proud grandmother to eleven grandchildren: Andrea (Marty) Bowen of West Burlington; Nick Curran of Chandler, Arizona; Clint (Jamie) Veren of Omaha, Nebraska; Luke (Maria) Veren of Laurel, Iowa; Taia Veren of Dubuque, Iowa; Clare Veren of West Des Moines, Iowa; Travis (Kristin) Hilsabeck of Monroe, Iowa; Tiffany (Curtis) Dudoit of Des Moines, Iowa; Randi Sabatka of Arizona; Jay Sabatka of Madison Lake, Minnesota; and Joe Sabatka of Jacksonville, Florida.

She is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren: Prior, Dexter, and Cooper Bowen; Caden, Judson, and Jorgen Veren; Hailey, Maci, Kenzie, and Tate Veren; Ali, Lincoln, and Eisley Hilsabeck; and Cailo Dudoit.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to those who provided care, friendship, and support to Orrell throughout her life.

Orrell will be remembered for her strength, kindness, deep faith, and the love she shared so generously with her family and community.

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