Obituary of Verlene Anna Nusz

Verlene Anna (Lehr) Nusz, age 85, died peacefully in her rural Menno, SD home on Thursday, January 12, 2017. The Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel is assisting with the arrangements. On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Verlene was born on April 4, 1931 to Anna (Mehlhaf) Lehr and Edward Lehr on their family farm west of Menno. She was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at the Salem Reformed Church in Menno. She attended school in Menno and graduated from Menno High School in 1949. She married Rumie Nusz on August 19, 1951 at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. After her husband’s discharge from the Army after the Korean War, they moved to the Nusz family farm where they lived, loved, worked, and raised their five children. She loved God and served others through women’s groups, teaching children’s Bible school, and helping those in need. In recent years she attended Salem Reform Church as her husband’s health allowed. She enjoyed music and earlier in her life sang in small groups and choirs. Verlene also served at one time as the chair person of the Menno Music Boosters. Verlene’s family was her passion. She fiercely loved her children and grandchildren, and actively supported all of their interests. She took joy in indulging her grandchildren with her sour dough bread, cinnamon rolls and kuchen. She was a master gardener, which she referred to as her “therapy”, and delighted in sharing the bushels of excess produce with neighbors and friends. Although Verlene had some physical limitations, having survived two types of cancer, surgeries and a major fall, her quick wit and sense of humor were always present. She thrived on spirited political debates and lengthy phone conversations about current events. She spent the final years of her life caring for her husband on their family farm, and will be remembered for her love of family, support of friends, and caring heart. Verlene is survived by Rumie, her devoted husband of 65 years, their five children: Charles, Yankton, SD, David (Gaye), Omaha, NE, Kathy (Ken) Stepanek, Menno, SD, Tim (Maureen) Wyoming, IL, and Lisa (Greg) Larson, Elk Point, SD; their nine grandchildren: Sheridan and Brooks Nusz, Kyle (Loni) and Kaleb (fiancée Rachael Hecht) Stepanek, Alexandra, Levi, and Jacob Nusz, and Lukas and Noah Larson; brother Elton (Janice) Lehr; sister-in-law Stella Nusz and dear friend, Helen Munkvold. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Victor and Ervin Lehr. In lieu of flowers, Verlene requested that memorials be made to the Union Gospel Mission, Sioux Falls or to Ability Building Services (support services for adults with developmental disabilities), Yankton, SD.