Vernette Ella Riley

Vernette E. Riley of West Des Moines, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. She graduated from Kewaskum High School and then attended Deaconess Nursing School in Milwaukee. She later received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Iowa (she was an avid Hawkeye fan!) and was a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Vernette served in executive nursing positions at Mercy Hospital and Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, and she completed her career as CEO of Dallas County Hospital.

She served on the board of many organizations, including the National League of Nursing, the Iowa Arthritis Foundation, the Missions Board at Lutheran Church of Hope, the Variety Club, the inaugural National Organ Transplant Association, Brain Injury, and the Perry Rotary Club. She was also a member of Lutheran Church of Hope. . During retirement, she worked as a school nurse for the West Des Moines and Waukee school districts. She also loved her dogs like family.

Vernette is survived by her children, Rick (Karen) Riley of West Des Moines and Nancy (Tom) Minor of Johnston. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Travis (Holly) Riley, Cooper (Lindsey) Riley, JT (Meredith) Minor and Ellie (Braydon) Tysklind and her great grandchildren Tristan Riley, Madilynn Riley, Caden Riley, Brecken Riley, Millie Minor, Crew Tysklind, Isaac Minor, Quinn Tysklind, Sadie Tysklind and Archie Tysklind.

The family would like to thank the Deerfield staff for their kind support. Also want to extend thanks to Suncrest Hospice .

Visitation will take place on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. Memorials are to be directed to the Lutheran Church of Hope.