Verna Marie Kuehl, 88, of Elkader, passed away Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at her home from complications of heart disease. Verna was born on the family farm rural Elkader, Iowa, on August 10, 1930. She was the daughter of Leslie and Emma (Nesteby) Lantz. Verna graduated from Elkader High School in 1948.
On June 3, 1951 Verna was united in marriage to Richard Roland Kuehl at the Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader, Iowa. To this union, five children were born. The couple made their home in Elkader their entire lives.
Over the years Verna worked various jobs while also doing the bookkeeping for Richard’s carpentry business. She worked at the ASCS office for seven years, Elkader Public Library for ten years and cooked at the Central Community Hospital in Elkader for a couple of years.
In her free time, Verna enjoyed playing cards, golfing, quilting and being active in various church organizations. Perhaps one of her greatest joys was time spent with her family and friends.
Survivors include one daughter, Suzanne (Michael) Kaprich of Smyrna, Georgia; one son, Bart Kuehl of Omaha, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Mason Kaprich of Nashville, Tennessee, Madeline Kaprich of Atlanta, Georgia, Kyle Macaraeg of Las Vegas, Nevada and Skylar Gerat of Borachay, Philippines; her Godson, Andy Kuehl of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two sisters, Norma (Frank) Weber of Milan, Illinois and Sherri (Tom) Stoffel of Elkader, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.
Verna was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Emma; her husband, Richard on August 27, 1997; three sons, Richard Lee on March 26, 1952, Mark on July 12, 1954 and Doug on August 13, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Peace United Church of Christ, Carter House Museum or Elkader Public Library
Visitation: 9:00 AM until 11:00AM Thursday, December 27, 2018, at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader.
Memorial Service: 11:00 AM – Thursday, December 27, 2018, at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader.
Inurnment: East Side Cemetery, Elkader, at a later date.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left with www.graufuneralhomes.com