Verena Gassner Critser

Verena Gassner Critser

Aug. 16, 1925 - Oct. 31, 2013

STURGIS, South Dakota -- Verena Gassner Critser, 88, died Thursday (Oct. 31, 2013) at the Sturgis Hospital, in Sturgis.

She was born on Aug. 16, 1925, in Zurich, Switzerland to Walter Paul and Elsa (Siegrist) Gassner.

During the World War II clean-up in Italy, Verena met Billy L. Critser from Hollinger, Nebraska. In 1947, she came to America and they were married Nov. 1, 1947. She later became a U.S. citizen.

She worked as a nurse in Oxford, Nebraska. In 1967, they moved to a farm near Goodridge, Minnesota, where they raised cattle and hay. She worked as a secretary to the superintendent at the Goodridge Public Schools for more than 17 years. After her husband died, she moved to Rapid City, South Dakota to live with her daughter. She later moved to Sturgis, for the remainder of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her sisters, Ines; and "Dashie".

Survivors include children, Virginia V. Cullen (Douglas) of Goodridge, Minnesota and Heidi H. Palmer (Daniel) of Sturgis; seven grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services are Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at 10:30 am, at Wenburg Funeral Home in Beaver City, Nebraska, with the Rev. Joyce Dean officiating. Inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Beaver City.

There will be no viewing or visitation.

Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com

Wenburg Funeral Home of Beaver City, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.