Verla L. Rodenbaugh

Graveside Services and Interment for Verla Lucille Rodenbaugh will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Orleans Cemetery, at Orleans, Nebraska, with Pastor Charles Stoker officiating.

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services will be followed. The Rodenbaugh family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend Verla's services based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community.  Verla's graveside service will be live-streamed on the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home's Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622 ).

Verla L. Rodenbaugh, 91 years of age, of Marshfield, Missouri, formerly of Hartville, Missouri, Grovespring, Missouri, and Orleans, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2020, at her daughter, Dr. Linda Rodenbaugh's home, in St Louis, Missouri.

Verla was born on August 10, 1928, at her parent's home in Harlan County, Nebraska, the second of five children, to Leonard Ruben and Elsie Mae (Russell) Randall.  She graduated Long Island High School in 1946, with perfect attendance.

Verla was united in marriage to her sweetheart, Don Rodenbaugh on December 2, 1946.  They started their married life together, in a little apartment in San Diego, California, while Don finished his military tour with the Navy.  From there, they moved to a farm, south of Orleans, Nebraska; Nebraska City, Nebraska; to a farm, north of Alma, Nebraska; and then began to make their home, back at Orleans, where they raised their children.  Verla worked alongside Don at their service station, Orleans Service, prepared taxes for H&R Block, and worked as a carpenter in the construction of campers in Alma, Nebraska.

In the 1970s, Don and Verla made a life change moving to Missouri where they started ranching in the Grovespring and Hartville Missouri area.  They enjoyed many years raising cattle, making sorghum, and living life to the fullest in the beautiful Ozarks. Five years were spent in Marshfield, Missouri, and from 2018 to the present, Verla began to make her home with her daughter, Linda, in St. Louis.

Verla was a tenacious woman who valued family and was very proud of her husband, their five children:  Danny, Sandra, Linda, Janet, and Stanley; 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.  Verla's passion was providing a loving home that was a well-rounded, enriching life for her family.  Verla spent time with her family and friends cooking, sewing, horseback riding, crafting, shooting, entertaining, and much more.

Verla enjoyed hunting, flying with Don in their airplane, wood working, and crafting.  She was an artist, a skilled card player, master gardener, church pianist, chef/cook extraordinaire, and seamstress that included wedding gowns and bridesmaids' dresses. Most important, was her faith in her Savior, Jesus.  Most friends would describe her as a happy, intellectual woman, who delighted in helping others.

Verla and Don were active community supporters helping organize a covered wagon trail-ride across Nebraska for the centennial; throwing watermelon feeds for Harlan County; and hosting Girl Scout camps, even in their own back yard.  The couple had many adventures and memories, including an early Sunday morning fly-over, dropping flour on their dear friend's house, again showing their passion for living life to the fullest.  Verla and Don's family consider the couple, their heroes.

Verla was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Elsie Randall; her husband, Don Rodenbaugh in 2018; and two brothers, Arlin and Kenneth.

Those left to cherish her memory include:  two sons,  Danny A. Rodenbaugh of Milan, Tennessee and Stanley E. Rodenbaugh of Grovespring, Missouri; three daughters,  Sandra J. Nordick of Osawatomie, Kansas; Dr. Linda K. Rodenbaugh of St. Louis, Missouri; and Janet S. Eaton of Springfield, Missouri; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Verdene Abbott of  Moffat, Colorado and Joyce Schemper of Kearney, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, AltaMae Groshong of Cambridge, Nebraska and Crystal Rodenbaugh of Lincoln, Nebraska, along with many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the graveside service at the Orleans Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in Verla's honor and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.