Verna M. Slinger

VERNA MAE (STAAB) SLINGER was born on March 23, 1930 to Paul and Margaret (Schreier) Staab in Remsen, Iowa. At the age of three, Verna moved with her family to a farm south of Pipestone, Minnesota. She attended country school and then attended the Pipestone High School. At the age of 16, Verna met Bernard Slinger at the Hatfield Ballroom and the two dated for the next four years. On September 18, 1950, Verna and Bernard were united in marriage at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. The couple was blessed with 12 children. The family moved several times in the following years, ending up in Sibley, Iowa in 1968. In the late 70s, Verna and Bernard’s marriage ended in divorce. Following their separation, Verna spent several years living in Pipestone and Canby, Minnesota. In the mid-90s, Verna moved to Truman, Minnesota, where she lived for 20 years. In February 2017, Verna became a resident of the Seasons Health Care Center in Trimont, Minnesota where she died peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at the age of 89 years and four days.

Thanks to her “gift of gab” Verna had a great love of greeting and visiting with both the residents and visitors that entered the nursing home in Truman. Verna had a great love of embroidery and spent some time crocheting. With her talent, Verna received several blue ribbons from the Fairmont Fair for her projects. She also enjoyed shopping in her spare time and found joy in receiving packages. Verna was a bit possessive of her room and items in it, and took great care with them, especially her collection of angels. Above everything else, Verna greatly loved and cherished her family members and the time that she spent with them.

Verna is lovingly remembered by her 10 children, Karen (Raymond) Knaak of Lewisville, Minnesota, Debra Slinger (special friend, John) of Pocahontas, Iowa, Daniel (Kathy) Slinger of Dubuque, Iowa, David Slinger (special friend, Jacque) of Charter Oak, Iowa, Thomas (Cindy) Slinger of Pierson, Iowa, Michael (Tracy) Slinger of Menomonie, WI, Timothy Slinger of Denison, Iowa, Maria (Ken) Hopkins of Chester, South Dakota, Lucinda (Dayle) Filkins of Truman, Angela (John) Putnam of Eagle Lake, Minnesota; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Alvin Staab of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Ronald (Bea) Staab of Indianapolis, Indiana; her close friend, Carol Mae Wiederhoeft of Truman; and many other loving friends and family members. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Bernard Slinger; her son, Jerry Slinger; daughter, Londa Jane Slinger; her parents, Paul and Margaret; eight brothers, Larry, Melvin, Robert, Wayne, Virgil, Dennis, Gerald, and Glen Staab; and two sisters, Mildred Odenbrett and Arlene Odenbrett.