Freeport
Verla N. Burgener, 86, of Freeport, died Friday, July 17, 2009, at FHN Memorial Hospital.
Born July 19, 1922 in North Liberty, Indiana she was the daughter of Jean and Ethel (Turrell) Nelson. She married Leon G. Burgener April 17, 1943 in North Liberty, Indiana. He died April 14, 1996.
She graduated from North Liberty High School and attended a small business school in South Bend, Indiana.
After coming to Freeport she was employed at Micro Switch during the World War II. She worked for Sears Roebuck & Company before going to work for the Freeport School District 145. She retired in 1987 after 17 years with the district, part of the time being spent at the Freeport Senior high School and part of the time at the Administration Office.
Verla was a long time member of Embury United Methodist Church where she served on many committees and was president of the evening guild group. She served as a Pink Lady at the FHN Memorial Hospital for a while. She participated in helping with the Literacy training through Highland Community College. She was a volunteer in the Meals on Wheels program and PADS. She and her husband were members of Freeport Family Campers.
Verla was involved with the many activities of her children such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and youth group activities of the church when they went on mission trips to Appalachia. She loved being outdoors and camping trips with the family even when camping with jungle hammocks and tents equipped with the proverbial diaper pail.
For a while she was decorating fancy cakes for family and friends. She helped with her minister's 25th anniversary in the ministry. This involved making a miniature church of every church the minister had served during those 25 years. These were all cake and very edible-a labor of love.
Friends and family were a great part of her life. She was happiest cooking a meal for group and playing bridge with friends.
Surviving are 2 daughters, Julie Burgener of Peck, Michigan and Janice (David) Reid of Browntown, Wisconsin; 1 son, Thomas (JoAnne) Burgener of Freeport; 1 grandchild, Robert Justin Givens of Charlevoix, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and 2 brothers.
Funeral service will be Wednesday 11:00 a.m. at Embury United Methodist Church with Reverend Jonathan Singleton officiating. Friends and family are invited and encouraged to share remembrances of Verla during the funeral service.
Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery & Mausoleum.
Visitation will be Wednesday 9 a.m. until time of service at Embury United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Embury United Methodist Church.
Verla's family invites friends to extend condolences, share a memory, or light a candle in her honor at www.walkermortuary.com.