Verla Himmelman

Long time North Mankato resident Verla Ann Himmelman, age 73, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, at the Mankato House Health Care Center after a short but very courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 10, 2007 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Mankato, with Rev. Pamela Serdar and Rev. Dean Wolf officiating. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. on Friday at the CHURCH, and continues one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato. Memorials are preferred to Centenary United Methodist Church or to the donor's choice. Mankato Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Verla was born June 16, 1934 at home to Benjamin and Nelda (Petit) Heyer in Egan, South Dakota. She started school in Egan and then went to various Moody County schools. In 1952 she graduated from Colman High School where she was valedictorian of her class. Verla came to Mankato to attend Mankato Commercial College where she maintained straight A's. After graduation she worked for Drs. Conley, Geurs and Scheidel.

She was united in marriage to Dale E. Himmelman on September 4, 1954 at Colman United Methodist Church. They made their home in North Mankato and had three children, Kathryn, Susan and David. She was a stay-at-home mom for a few years, and then went to work for the Mankato Clinic for 25 years. Verla enjoyed reading, traveling and camping with her family. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Verla had great faith and a loving spirit. She had an energetic enthusiasm for her church where she served as a Sunday School teacher and on the Executive Board. She also served on the Executive Board of the United Methodist Women of the Southwest District and on the Campus Ministry Board at MSU. She will be greatly missed.

Verla is survived by her loving husband, Dale, and children Kathryn (L.C.) Smith of Pueblo, CO, Susan Himmelman of Sleepy Eye, MN, and David of Mankato, MN. Verla is also survived by her grandchildren Christina, Krystal, and Lee Smith, Hanna and Megan Himmelman; great-grandchildren Benjamin, Michael, and Christian Smith; brothers-in-law Donald Bennett (Colman, SD), Blaine Himmelman (Minneapolis, MN), sisters-in-law, Diana Heyer (Andover, MN), Elaine Anderson (Mankato, MN), Gwynlyn Gant (Mexico, MO), and Donna Southwick (Mankato, MN); one aunt and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Virgil and Vernon, and sister Verna Bennett.