Verdean G. Corey

SIOUX CITY -- Verdean G. Corey, 82, fondly known as "Beanie" and wife of the late Mike A. Corey, of Sioux City passed away on Tuesday, Dec.15, 2009, at her residence following a long battle with cancer.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Thomas Orthodox Church, with the Very Rev. Paul Hodge officiating. Burial will be in St. Thomas Orthodox Cemetery, Graceland Park. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 17, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m. and a Trisagion service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Verdean was born on Sept. 19, 1927, in Sioux City. She was raised, loved and well provided for by her mother, Gertrude, her grandparents, George F. and Sophie Redden and her aunt, Lucille "Annie" F. Redden. She attended Washington Elementary School, East Junior High School, East High School and Ponca High School.

She met the love of her life, Mike Corey, at Wallen's Horse Stable, while riding horses. He courted her from overseas, while serving with the 42nd Rainbow Infantry Division, U.S. Army, during World War II. They married on June 15, 1947. Mike passed away on Jan. 13, 1994, in Sioux City. Verdean committed her life to her husband and future family.

She was a devoted member of St. Thomas Orthodox Church. Verdean's greatest joys of her life were all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved playing cards with her great friends at club.

She is survived by two sons and two daughters, Michael and Debbie Corey of Guthrie, Okla., Patrick and Cathy Corey of Sioux City, Joyce and John Jacobs of San Diego, Calif., and Linda and Alexander Sideris of Houston, Texas. She is survived by 10 grandchildren, Christy, Jonus, Brandy, Ericka, John, Aleco, Christopher, Michael, Katie and Megan; and five great-grandchildren, Daniel, Taylor, Carter, Kellen and Brooklyn. She also survived by her sister, Shirley Bynum of Eau Claire, Wis., three brothers and their wives, John and Hanna Davey of Penn Valley, Calif., James and Tonya Davey of Bend, Ore., and Thomas and Susan Davey of Tulia, Texas; her sister-in-law, Lois Redden of Sioux City; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike A. Corey; her brother, Eugene L. Redden; and beloved mother, Gertrude Elizabeth Kwiatkowski.

Pallbearers will be John Jacobs, Aleco Sideris, Christopher Sideris, Michael Sideris, Daniel Corey and Jonus Corey.