Verna Bernice Funk

Verna Funk, 88, of Sebeka passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at Heritage House of Sebeka. Verna was born November 13, 1922 in Sebeka, Minnesota as the first child of Chuck and Effie (Pudas) Stephenson and she was the first grandchild on either side of the family. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. Verna began her education in a Wadena County rural school and in 1940 she graduated from Sebeka High School as an original member of the National Honor Society. She was a talented vocalist and she really enjoyed her duets with her best friend, Arlene (Nace) Sycks. After graduation she was often requested to sing at funerals and weddings. On April 13, 1941 Verna was united in marriage to Irvin Funk of Nimrod in Menahga. The newly-weds traveled west during Irvin’s military service, and then settled on a farm near Nimrod for the remainder of their married life. Seven children were born to this union. She moved to Heritage House in Sebeka just before Thanksgiving 2010. Irvin and Verna operated a small grade A dairy farm and later transitioned to raising purebred Angus cattle. In 1964 they started Irv Funk Canoe Outfitters as one of the original outfitters on the Crow Wing River Canoe Trail. They planted more than 50,000 trees on the farm. Irvin and Verna harvested wild rice for many years and she was often his hunting and trapping companion. Together they enjoyed traveling and dancing. Verna was an accomplished cook whose homemade pies and bread were the delight of her family and friends. She was a fine seamstress and she just completed her final hand crocheted rug for her oldest daughter, Dorothy, in the week prior to her death. She loved gardening and the outdoors. Verna’s greatest love was her family and she was always proud of their accomplishments. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Sebeka, the Wadena Chapter of the Eastern Star, the National Rifle Association, and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. She hunted deer with her family until her 80th birthday. Verna is survived by son Charles (Cheryl) Funk of Nimrod, daughters, Dorothy Kennelly of Huntersville, Shirley (John) Coleman of Bertha, Elizabeth (W. Dale) Bean of Westminster, Colorado, Grace (Marlyn) Horton of Nimrod and Frances (Mark) Komula of Carbondale, Colorado. Also surviving are her brothers Stanley (Betty) Stephenson and Lester Stephenson and sister Charlotte (Doug) Jessen. She is survived by 20 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Kathleen (Pam) Sandberg, grandsons Lance Kennelly and David Bean, great grandson Taylor Horton, sister Florence Fallstone and son-in-law Francis (Turk) Kennelly. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday, August 14, 2011 at the Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka. AA celebration of her life will be held 11:00 AM Monday, August 15, 2011 at the Sebeka United Methodist Church with Pastors Steve Koehne and Loren Ferch officiating. Music was provided by Teresa Horton and Jayne Koskiniemi with Loren Ferch as soloist singing “My Savior First of All.” Congregational hymns include “Saved by Grace,” “Borning Cry,” “In the Garden” and “How Great Thou Art.” Active Casketbearers were her surviving grandsons, Edric Funk, Aaron Funk, Stephen Funk, Paul Funk, Christian Horton, Jason Coleman and Jon Komula. All of her granddaughters were Honorary Pallbearers. Interment will be in the West Lyons Cemetery.