VERA IRENE HARLAND

Vera Irene Harland, 82, of Palm Springs, Calif., died of complications from pneumonia on Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999, at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Calif. She was born on Feb. 7, 1917, in Piedmont, Mo., to Flynn and Sarah Sparks Dunnegan, the youngest of seven daughters. She grew up in St. Louis and Piedmont. During her early years, she was a dental assistant in St. Louis and later she and her sister owned and operated a retail fabric and women's wear store in Ironton, Mo. She was married to the late Dr. R. E. Harland, M.D. She and Dr. Harland made their home in Ironton for many years where he had a private medical practice, and they owned and operated the Lone Pine Hotel and Restaurant. In 1971, they moved to La Jolla, Calif., where he continued a shared medical practice until his death in 1976. Due to failing health, Vera moved into a retirement facility in Palm Springs, Calif., in 1989. As her health continued to decline, she was moved to Premier Rehab and Nursing Center in late 1997, and on Aug. 27, 1999 suffered respiratory arrest from aspiration pneumonia and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center where she died in the hospital's Hospice unit on Oct. 10, 1999.

She is survived by her four children: Mike Harland and daughter-in-law Lynn, of San Diego, Calif., Pam Harland Joggerst and son-in-law Jim of Jackson, Mo., Gary Harland of San Diego, Calif. and Sally Harland and son-in-law Tony of Palm Springs, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Annette Jostes of Columbia, Mo., Heather Ricketts of Newport Beach, Calif., Rebecca Hahn of St. Louis, Kelly and Lindsay Harland of San Diego, Calif., Lauren Rafter of Diamond Head, Calif., James Patrick Harland of San Diego, Calif. and Sarah Severson of Palm Springs, Calif.; two nieces, Patsy R. Feller of Longview, Tex. and Betty Sobo Dye of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; four nephews, Robert Sobo of St. Louis, Bill Sobo of Seattle, Wash., Van Johnson of St. Louis and Dan Johnson of Warrenton, Mo. Numerous great nieces and nephews also survive.

Her husband, parents and sisters, Rita, Blanche, Hazel, Opal, Perma and Grace preceded her in death.

A private family service was held in Palm Springs on Oct. 13, 1999 at the Palms Springs Mausoleum. A second private service was held at her burial in El Camino Memorial Park and Mortuary in San Diego, Calif. on Oct. 15, 1999.