Verdell M. Monson

Rock Rapids, IA Verdell Monson, age 78 of Rock Rapids, IA died Thursday, December 29, 2011 at the Sanford Hospital of Rock Rapids. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, with Reverend Dan Kordahl officiating. Burial will be at the Armstrong Grove Cemetery in Armstrong, IA. Visitation will be Monday, January 2nd from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids. Verdell Marlys (Cassem) Monson was born on July 17, 1933 at Armstrong, Iowa to Arthur S. Cassem and Nellie (Anvick) Cassem. She grew up on a farm north of Armstrong and graduated from Armstrong High School in 1951. In school she played the saxophone and was an Honorable Mention All-State basketball forward. She was also the Mason City Band Queen for Armstrong in 1951. She attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa for 1 year. On September 27, 1952 Verdell was united in marriage to Robert E. Monson at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Armstrong. While first married they lived in Virginia during Bobs time in the Army. They returned to Armstrong to live and raise their family. Verdell worked for Dr. C.V. Lindholm prior to having children and then for Dr. Roy M. Turner once all of her children were in school. In 1975 the family moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa. Verdell began a 20 plus year career in the medical records department of Merrill Pioneer Hospital. She later worked at Rock Rapids Kids Club. She loved holding the babies! But Verdells favorite job was that of wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She and Bob enjoyed attending school activities for all of their children and grandchildren through the years. Summers were highlighted by the many trips made to Spirit Lake with the family. Bob passed away on October 12, 2007, after 55 years of marriage. Verdell was known for her cooking and baking, especially desserts and sweets. Her favorites often included chocolate, caramel, and butterscotch. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage, being 100 percent Norwegian! She was a lifelong Lutheran. As a church member at both Nazareth Lutheran in Armstrong and Immanuel Lutheran in Rock Rapids, she was active as a participant and leader with the NLCW and ILCW, Luther League sponsor, choir member, Sunday School teacher, circle member, and as a volunteer for numerous church functions. She was a Cub Scout leader and a member of the Wednesday Study Club while in Armstrong. In Rock Rapids she was a member of Beta. She enjoyed playing bridge and was involved in several clubs through the years. Verdell died on Thursday evening December 29, 2011 from complications of Alzheimers Disease. Verdell is lovingly remembered by her three children Kristy (Paul) Henriksen of Pipestone, MN, Kyle (Shannon) Monson of Rock Rapids, and Kirk (Sheila) Monson of Urbana, IA; nine grandchildren Jess (Alizabeth) Henriksen, Erik Henriksen, Berit Henriksen, Rachel Monson, Kaia Monson, Sydney Monson, Brittney Thedens, Korinna Thedens, and Chase Thedens; one great-grandson Jorgen Christian Henriksen; one sister Dottie Blietz of San Clemente, CA; one brother L.A. (Pat) Cassem of Gulf Shores, AL; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and grandson Karl Arthur Henriksen.