Verneda D. Wolff
Verneda D. Wolff, 92, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away at Nano Nagle Village in Aberdeen on Friday, November 17, 2023.
Verneda Delores Ulven was born on April 1, 1931 as the youngest of 12, in Watertown, SD to Andrew and Laura (Anderson) Ulven. Verneda was baptized at birth by the delivering physician, grew up on the family farm, attended rural grade school, was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD, and graduated from Henry High School.
Verneda married Lawrence Wolff on December 31, 1950. Lawrence was in the U.S. Army at the time and posts were in El Paso, TX and Hershey, PA, before returning to the Midwest. The next 10 years were spent building a family of 3 children- Kenneth, Debra, and Wesley- and living in several towns before settling in Ipswich, SD in 1961. This is where their children were raised and educated. Verneda grew up during the great depression and learned early that to make it in this life you had to work hard to reap any benefits, to live a Christian life and to participate in her community. She passed these traits onto her children.
After the children were of school age, she started her career in 1965 as a deputy Clerk of Courts with the Edmunds County Clerk of Courts. In 1981, she was able to transfer to the Brown County Clerk of Courts when she and her husband moved to Aberdeen. In 1993, Verneda retired from this position after 28 years of service.
Verneda was active in her church and community. She was a member and held office at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Ipswich, Zion Lutheran Church of Aberdeen, the American Legion, RSVP, Belles & Beaux’s Square Dance Club, and the Aberdeen Senior Center, where she was crowned Queen of the Senior Center in 2010.
Verneda enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing cards, square dancing, and was a very competitive Scrabble player. At one time, she was the Scrabble chairperson for the
Senior Center in Aberdeen. She enjoyed taking bus trips with her husband and saw a great portion of the United States.
Verneda is survived by her children: Kenneth (Camille) Wolff of Aberdeen, Deb Wolff of Aberdeen, and Wesley (Chris) Wolff of Missouri City, TX; five grandchildren: Courtney (Brad) Messerich of Eagan, MN, Carter (Brittney) Wolff of Victoria, MN, Laura (Evan) Keever of Houston, TX, Andrew Wolff and Benjamin Wolff of Missouri City, TX; four great grandchildren: Owen Messerich, Lila Messerich, Caden Wolff and Kinsley Wolff; brother-in-law Calvin (Marilyn) Wolff of Sioux Falls, sister-in-law Alice Wessling of Saratoga, CA, and sister-in-law Frances Wolff of Aberdeen; along with many nieces and nephews.
Verneda was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence of 65 years in 2016, parents Andrew & Laura Ulven; brothers: Lyle, Eldon, Roy, and Sidney; sisters: Helen, Idella, Evelyn, and Agnes, two infant sisters and one baby brother.