Vera Ringgenberg

Vera Ringgenberg, 95, of Aberdeen, SD, died Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Aberdeen, SD.

Vera Marion Carlson Ringgenberg was born on a farm near Columbia, SD, on March 11, 1927, to Frank and Anna Carlson. Vera grew up on the farm and attended a one room country school until sixth grade. She graduated from Columbia High School in 1945.

Vera worked for Frank and Lydia Ringgenberg where she met Keith. Keith and Vera were married on October 12, 1945. They had two children, Rebecca Ann and Robert Dale. They lived on the Ringgenberg Farm until 1991 when they moved to Aberdeen. In 2009, they moved to Davis Court and later to Nano Nagle Village. In August of 2021, Vera went to live with her daughter until the time of her death.

Vera was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen. She helped with many mission projects and their annual rummage sale.

Vera worked alongside Keith in every aspect of farming from raising chickens, feeding baby calves, to helping with harvest. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed all types of needlework. She worked at Feinstein’s in the Alteration Department and continued to do alterations for family and friends when she lived at Nano Nagle. She also volunteered at St. Luke’s Hospital.

One of her greatest enjoyments was to have her children and families come to the farm, and later to Aberdeen, for a visit. The grandkids enjoyed visiting and staying with Grandpa and Grandma. A favorite thing we admired about Mom was how she embraced technology. Her constant companion was her iPad where she enjoyed Scrabble, various games, and crossword puzzles. It was also her lifeline to emails from her family near and far. She was an avid watcher of Jeopardy and the Minnesota Twins.

Vera is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Dolen of Aberdeen, and Robert (Karen) Ringgenberg of Nixa, MO; three grandchildren, Nicole (Scott) Thissen of Montevideo, MN; Dan Ringgenberg of Aberdeen and Molly (Matt) Sayer of Plymouth, MN. Five great grandchildren, Cameron (fiancé Kayla) Thissen of Canby MN, Parker Thissen of Montevideo, MN; Emily Ringgenberg of Aberdeen, Vera and Beau Sayer of Plymouth, MN. She was also blessed to still have her sister-in-law, Leola Carlson of Columbia and many nieces and nephews in her life.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Keith in 2019, son-in-law, James Dolen, her twin sister, Verna Knott, sister, Lucille Collins and brothers, Herbert, Henry, Edwin, and Stanley Carlson.