Edmunds County Tribune -

Verna Ardella Schumacher, 86, Eureka and most recently of Aberdeen, died Sunday, February 11, 2024 at the Bethesda Home of Aberdeen. Funeral services were Friday, February 16, 2024 at Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka, led by Pastor LuCinda Haak. Interment followed at the Eureka Cemetery.

Verna Ardella Forkel, daughter of Emma (Gienger) and Edwin Forkel, was born August 8, 1937 at a farm northeast of Roscoe. She was brought up on the farm and attended North Bryant Township Rural School. Following her schooling she worked on the farm and waitressed at the Black Hawk Café in Aberdeen.

Ardella married Leo Schumacher at Hosmer on December 16, 1956. They first settled on the Haerter farm south of Hosmer. In October 1960, they moved to the Eureka area and in May 1964 they relocated to near Long Lake. In 1987, Ardella took a Certified Nurse's Aide position at the nursing home in Eureka. She and Leo relocated to Eureka in September 1997. Ardella retired from the Avera Eureka Healthcare Center in 2006.

In retirement, she enjoyed volunteering at the Second Hand Rose in Eureka. She was also active at her church, St. Paul's United Church of Christ. Since moving to Aberdeen, she was a member at Plymouth Congregational Church. Her hobbies included quilting, sewing, embroidering, gardening, baking, and cooking German meals. Ardella's family is very grateful for the services of the Bethesda Home and Bethesda Hospice.

Ardella is survived by Leo, her husband of 67 years; two daughters, Vicki (Doug) Mundt of Aberdeen and Heidi (Jeff) Bratkiewicz of Sioux Falls; two brothers, Wilbert Forkel of Roscoe and Herbert (Kathy) Forkel of Aberdeen; three sisters, Lorraine Jung of Aberdeen, Esther Steinmetz of Garden City, Kan., and Margie (Howard) Schmitz of Valentine, Neb .; eight grandchildren, Skylar, Luka, Kelsey, Tia, Bailey, Caden, Danny, and Sam; two great-grandchildren, Liam and Langston; and daughter-in-law, Theresa Schumacher .

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Emma; her son, Milo; and granddaughter, Ashton Schumacher.

Honorary bearers were grandchildren, Skylar Schumacher and Luka Schumacher.

Casketbearers were grandchildren, Kelsey Mundt-Halvorson of Chicago, Ill., Tia Schumacher, Bailey Schumacher, Caden Schumacher, and Danny Schumacher of Aberdeen; and Sam Bratkiewicz of Sioux Falls.

Musicians were Ronda Lapp and Margie and Dennis Walker.

Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka. http://www.MillerLienFH. com