Verna Gjerset

Verna Gjerset, age 80, of Renville, MN passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at the Olivia Hospital. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, September 5, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Renville with Rev. Trevor Bailey officiating. Visitation will be on Monday, September 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the service on Tuesday, all at the church. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements are by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Renville.

Verna Glennys Gjerset was born on November 5, 1942 in Dawson, MN to Oscar and Erna (Miersch) Hiepler. She graduated in 1960 from Boyd High School. On September 9, 1961, Verna was united in marriage to Richard Gjerset at the Redeemer Church in Boyd. Their marriage was enriched with three children. They made their home in Big Bend until Richard’s job brought them to Renville and Morgan, each for at least ten years, and then upon his retirement they settled in Renville. Verna was mostly a homemaker but worked outside of the home at the Carlson Doll Factory in Watson, Gilmore Manor in Morgan, and in the scale house during fall harvest at the Southern MN Beet Sugar Cooperative. Verna was a true matriarch of her family; she was the rock that kept the family grounded and the coordinator of all events. The family made many memories on Miltona, Traverse, and Gilchrist Lakes in Minnesota. Verna and Richard also spent 20 winters in Mission, TX together, and also enjoyed traveling outside of the country on a few occasions. Verna had a strong faith and was active in both the Big Bend Lutheran Church when they lived there, and First Lutheran Church in Renville, where she was currently a member. Her beloved fur baby, Snoopy, brought her so much happiness. She had a passion for sharing her talents with others which included her phenomenal cooking and baking skills. Her and Richard had a concession wagon that they operated at various events throughout the county and her famous Special K Bars were always the most requested. Seeing the beauty that came from her labors is why she loved gardening and enjoyed crocheting and weaving rugs. She was able to take another hobby of hers and turn it into a business by selling her rugs at various craft shows over the years. Verna will be remembered for being a kind, generous, and humble woman of God.

Verna is survived by her husband of 61 years, Richard Gjerset; her children: Ginny (and Jim) Dambroten, Jody (and Doug) Steffel, and Darren (and Lisa) Gjerset; her eight grandchildren: Justine (and Tony) Gielczyk, Taylor (and Jason) Olsem, Amanda Steffel (and John), Adam Steffel (and Michaela), Abby Steffel (and Connor), Jacob (and Brookley) Gjerset, Logan Gjerset (and Bethany), and Jordan Gjerset; her great-grandchildren: Adilee Dambroten-Neu, Brylee, Aiden, & Josiah Gielczyk, Kolten Sieben, Jaxson Cronen, Kayleigh & Kaysen Gjerset; and her fur baby, Snoopy. Verna was preceded in death by her parents.

Blessed Be Her Memory