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Verna Kay Fladhammer, age 80, of Alamogordo, New Mexico passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026, in El Paso, Texas. She was born on March 31, 1945, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Verna was preceded in death by her father, Harold Woodward; her mother, Annie Woodward (Willenberg); her daughter, Tammy Elaine Fladhammer; her grandson, Ryan James Fladhammer; her sister, Judith “Judy” Paggi (Willenberg); her brother-in-law, William “Bill” Paggi.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, James “Jim” Fladhammer and her three children: Doyle Fladhammer (Diane), Daniel Fladhammer (Susan), Samantha Adducchio (Benjamin).
Verna was a proud grandmother to nine surviving grandchildren: Melissa Nolte (Luke), Alexandria Fladhammer (Jesse Nielsen), Eric Fladhammer, Brent Fladhammer, Allison Fladhammer, Abigail Adducchio, Emiliana Adducchio, Pasquale Adducchio, Olivia Adducchio; two great grandchildren, Gwendolyn Nolte and Graeme Nolte.
She leaves behind a very special surrogate military family: George and Dolly Baughman, Lynn Hammond (Rob), Patty Sisco (Trent), along with many extended family members and dear friends, each of whom she loved deeply and held close to her heart.
Verna faithfully served our nation as a proud Air Force wife for 20 years, steadfastly supporting Jim through numerous deployments, remote assignments, and extended tours. She held the family together, raising three children in foreign countries and turning every assignment into a true home.
As a family, we traveled Europe, taking full advantage of the opportunities military life offered, with Mom as our master navigator. The cities of London, Rome, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Vienna never intimidated her; she was the original Garmin. Mom remained cool as a cucumber while Dad navigated the chaos of city traffic. She ensured Dad never truly felt lost, Jim’s lifelong navigator.
Though she was afraid of heights, Verna more than once bravely endured the Austrian and Italian Alps from the passenger seat, eyes squeezed shut. All of this, while the family admired the breathtaking views and played “corners” in the back seat, laughing through the sharp turns. She was forever the caretaker, ensuring overnight stops were sensible, food was always found, and more than once hustling us hand-in-hand down a foreign street towards the familiar Golden Arches of McDonald’s.
Once we were back in the States, Mom especially loved visiting our nation’s capital, soaking in the sights both day and night. As adults, we traveled and explored the city together, continuing her lifelong love of discovery. No matter the destination, she was always up for an adventure and had a deep love for travel.
Verna embraced a second career that reflected her love of numbers and accounting. After returning to Wisconsin, she became the bookkeeper for Gillespie Insurance Company in DeSoto, Wisconsin. During tax season, she worked with H&R Block where she enjoyed consulting on and preparing tax returns for members of the community. Verna is fondly remembered for always taking the time to assist friends and family with any and all tax challenges, offering both expertise and patience. She went on to manage the Riverbank branch in Ferryville, Wisconsin, earning respect for her knowledge, integrity, and dedication. Upon relocating to New Mexico, Verna joined First National Bank of Alamogordo as an accountant, where she was known for her diligence, persistence, and strong attention to detail. She retired in 2008 after 23 years of service.
Verna was an avid reader, a passion she lovingly passed on to her grandchildren. She spent countless hours reading to and with them. Sharing stories that opened doors to adventure, history, and the wider world, a cherished gift and lasting memory for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Later in life, as her travels slowed, Verna continued to embrace her love of reading through her Kindle and developed a passion for quilting with friends. She carefully designed and sewed beautiful quilts for family and friends, meticulously spending hours ensuring each one was the perfect, personal gift. These handcrafted quilts are treasured keepsakes, reflecting her care, creativity, and devotion.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1505 College Avenue in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11:00 am, with a small luncheon to follow. A memorial service will be held in Wisconsin in the spring at DeSoto Lutheran Church, followed by burial at DeSoto Lutheran Cemetery on Lawrence Ridge.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to causes close to Verna’s heart, including support for military families, literacy, sewing education, or quilting bees.
