Verna Jean Deinert was born on the family farm near Emerald on Oct. 17, 1933, to August and Hilda (Janssen) Meyer and passed away Feb. 8, 2021, in Lincoln, at The Journey House at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 22 days.
Verna was baptized Dec. 3, 1933, at St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Lincoln and was confirmed May 4, 1947, at St. John’s Lutheran Church near Emerald.
She attended grade school at Lancaster County District #38 and high school at Teacher’s College High in Lincoln, graduating in 1950. Verna attended summer school at the University of Nebraska to receive a teaching certificate. She began teaching school at the age of 16. She taught two years and then worked at First National Bank in Lincoln for two years.
On Nov. 22, 1953 Verna was united in marriage to Harold Deinert at St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Lincoln. They lived on the farm until moving to Seward in 2016. Verna loved her life as a farm wife, raising her four children, growing a garden, helping Harold with chores, driving the truck during harvest, chasing cows or whatever was needed. She also loved to sew and quilt. She sewed many wedding dresses over the years and made quilts for the kids, grandkids and others. After the kids were gone from home, she worked part-time for Carroll Costume Shop sewing Santa suits, clown outfits and many costumes for high school theatrical performances.
Verna was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Dale for 67 years and was an active member of the Ladies Aid Society. She was a member of the Emerald Extension Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents, August and Hilda Meyer; husband, Harold; sister, Iva Miller.
Survivors cherishing her memory include her children and spouses, Jean and husband, Ron Petsch, Milford, Donna and husband, Brad Havener, Milford, Melvin and wife, Linda Deinert, Emerald, JoAnn and husband, Bob Boshart, Emerald; grandchildren, Justine Petsch, Cody and wife, Jamie Havener, Calvin Havener, Scott and wife, Megan Deinert, Melinda Deinert; great-grandchildren, Hudson Deinert, Jaden Schulz.
Visitation is from 1 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Dale with a graveside service and interment at St. John's Cemetery in Lincoln at 1:30 p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to the donor's choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
