Verna Van Driel

VERNA MARILYN VAN DRIEL was born to David and Alice (Ellingson) Lawrence in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on April 19, 1930. Verna was baptized in 1930 in Sioux Falls. When Verna was eight years old, her family moved to Volin, South Dakota where she began her education. She was confirmed in the Christian faith in 1944. At the age of 16, the family moved back to Sioux Falls where she completed her high school education, graduating from Washington High School in 1949. Verna was then employed with Morrell’s for a year before taking a position with the South Dakota Children’s Home in July 1950 where she was a house mother for just over one year’s time. On April 25, 1952, Verna was united in marriage to Claude Van Driel at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. The couple spent their first year of marriage in Rapid City, South Dakota where Claude was stationed with the Air Force. They returned to the southwest Minnesota area one year later and began farming near Hills, Minnesota.

Together Verna and Claude raised their four children on the farm where she was a housewife for the next 36 years. In 1989 Verna and Claude retired and moved to Luverne, Minnesota. This move allowed Verna to enjoy one of her passions, swimming, as often as possible.

Verna was active in the Lutheran Church as a Sunday school teacher, ladies circle, and adult education classes. The family enjoyed many special days at Shetek Lutheran Bible Camp. She was involved in her community with the Extension Club, 4H and a 4-H alumni group, YMW. She enjoyed sewing, scrapbooking and extensive traveling with Claude. More than anything, her goal was to make sure her children were loved just as they are loved by God.

On Friday, May 10, 2019, while under hospice care at the Sanford Luverne Hospital, Verna went to be with her Lord at the age of 89 years and 21 days.

Verna is lovingly remembered by her husband, Claude of Luverne; children, Jayne (Ronald) Peterson of St. Cloud, Minnesota and Bette (Arthur) Krause of Colorado Springs, Colorado; son-in-law, Dale Reiman of Iowa City, Iowa; six grandchildren, Brian Peterson, Tracy Voegele, Jack Peterson, Danielle Reiman, Alexander Krause and Marcus Krause; three great-granddaughters, Parker & Ava Peterson and Elle Voegele; and a sister, Arlene Warner of Bentonville, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her son, Bruce Van Driel; daughter, Mary Alice Reiman; granddaughter, Moriah Reiman; brothers, Clifford, Leland, Ellsworth and David Lawrence; sister, Leona Hanson; and parents, David and Alice Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.