Redwood Falls, Minn.  --  Verna Leopold, 90, of Redwood Falls died Thursday, February 18, 2010 at Wood Dale Nursing Home. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls with burial following in the Redwood Falls Cemetery. 
    The family requests memorials to St. John Lutheran School or the Alzheimer’s Association.
    Arrangements are with the Nelson-Martin Funeral Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelsonmartinfuneralservice.com.
    Verna Martha Leopold, the daughter of Gustav and Hattie (Maas) Steffen, was born September 20, 1919 in Sanborn. She grew up in Sanborn and received her education there. Verna graduated from Sanborn High School in 1936 and, following graduation, worked in the grocery store in Sanborn.
    On February 15, 1941, Verna married Melvin Leopold at Sanborn Zion Lutheran Church. They lived and farmed near Sanborn until 1955. At that time, they moved to a farm in Paxton Township which they had purchased from the Gilfillans. In 1984, the couple retired and moved into Redwood Falls. Verna was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls where she was involved in the ladies’ society. She also belonged to the Paxton extension club. Verna was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed making quilts for her family. She worked part time at the Spinning Wheel fabric store in Redwood Falls for many years. Verna enjoyed doing cross stitch, gardening, spending time at the lake cabin, and fishing – especially for sunfish. She and Melvin wintered in Harlingen, Texas for 18 years.
    Verna is survived by her children, Janice Hammerstrom and husband Mick of West Fargo, N.D.; and Rodney Leopold and wife Bonnie of Redwood Falls; grandchildren  Lori Schoening and husband Paul, Sonja Nyhof and husband Brad, Tharan Leopold and wife Ruth, and Karl Hammerstrom and wife Jessica; step-grandchildren Camey Graham, Kim Malecek and husband Greg, Carmen Prodoehl, and Colleen Serbus and husband Todd; 9 great-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; and her sister-in-law Ethel Steffen of Lamberton. 
    She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Melvin on July 30, 2008; her son Darrel, her daughter-in-law LouAnn Leopold; and brothers Arnold, Allen, and Raymond.
Source:  Redwood Falls Gazette
    By Staff reports
    Updated Feb. 23, 2010 @ 10:15 pm