Verna Lee (Wright) Wilhelm was born on January 8, 1936, in the home northeast of Wakenda, MO, in Carroll county, to Mildred Elizabeth (Jennings) and Elmer Kimball Wright. She passed away on March 3, 2025, in Cameron, Clinton county, MO.
When she was 3 months old, the family moved northeast of Bosworth, MO, to the Faust Place for nearly three years. At that time, they moved south across the field where her brother, Esten, now lives.
Verna attended a one-room schoolhouse, East Fairview (a mile north of the home), through 8th Grade. She spent her high school years at Bosworth High School, graduating Valedictorian in 1954. After high school she attended Northwest Missouri State College, graduating in 1958, with a B.S. in Vocational Home Economics and certified to teach Junior High English. She taught at Plattsburg and Bosworth.
Verna was active in 4-H for 7 years as a youngster and was an adult leader. She joined the Bosworth Christian Church, performed in musical and theatrical productions in high school, played softball, and played basketball her senior year right after the new gymnasium was built.
Some of her favorite hobbies were a lifelong love of sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, gardening and tending her flowers.
She was a member of the Major Molly Chapter NSDAR, Hamilton, MO; and Cameron United Methodist Church at the time of her death. Earlier, she was a member of Carroll county’s Friendly Fairview Farmerettes Extension Club and the Rural Adult Organization in the same county, as well as the Twentieth Century Club in Mt. Vernon, MO.
She is survived by daughters, RaVae Lewis and Dawn Stuedle. Her grandchildren are Eric Lewis, Ryan Lewis, Corey Stuedle, Clay Stuedle, Taylor Lewis, Kirby Puckett and Claire Curtis and their families, including 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Loren “Esten” Wright, and a host of nieces and nephews and many other relatives. Verna was predeceased by her husband, Jack; a baby daughter, Robin; her parents; an older sister, Oletha; oldest brother, Jack; and youngest brother, Mike.
Verna expressed how grateful she was to have grown up in a close-knit community with the support of family and friends. She also expressed how fortunate she was to have had many friends later in life, being surprised that so many cared about her. As well, she gained another loving family in Cameron Nursing and Rehab Center. She was cared for tenderly there by the staff, by Dr. Vinyard, and by Three Rivers Hospice.
A Christian service with NSDAR memorial will be held at the Bosworth Christian Church, at 11:00 AM on March 15, 2025, and a meal will immediately follow. Nancy Wohlgemuth, piano accompanist. Rev. Cheryl Sanders, officiant. At a later date, Verna’s cremains will be inurned at Big Creek Cemetery near Bosworth.
Memorial contributions may be made to DeKalb County 4-H Council in lieu of flowers.
Services conducted by Bittiker Funeral Homes, Carrollton, MO
