Verna Mae Leyh

The funeral service celebrating the life of VernaMae Leyh of Bertha, will be held at 2:00 p.m on Saturday, September 16, at the New Life Church of God with Pastor Jason Knoll presiding. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 12:30p.m. until the time of the service. ~~~~~~~~ The service can be viewed by going to our facebook page for a live stream for a limited time. ~~~~~~~~ VernaMae, age 94, passed away on September 6, 2023, at the Lakewood Health System Hospital in Staples, MN. VernaMae Ruth Leyh was born to Sidney and Ruth (Zimmerman) Leyh on April 30, 1929, in their family home on the edge of Bertha. That home is still lived in to this day. As she grew, her faith was extremely important to her! She accepted Jesus into her life in her early teen years and tried to live out her faith daily. She attended Bertha Public School and graduated as one of the top in her class. After graduation, VernaMae obtained her teaching degree. She went on to teach the lower elementary grades in Minnesota and Canada. Next she moved to Idaho to be a receptionist at a hospital, and then to Long Prairie where she worked at Hart Press as a proofreader. After retiring, VernaMae moved back to Bertha with her parents and gave loving care to them as they aged. While in Bertha she faithfully attended the New Life Church Of God, where her parents also attended. VernaMae was very involved and passionate in teaching children about her Lord. In earlier years, she traveled around central MN putting on Vacation Bible Schools for children in various towns. At church she enjoyed teaching Release Time and VBS, and assisted for a time with AWANA helping kids learn Bible verses. She was active in The Missionary Society and had been the church historian. In the community, VernaMae was involved in the Historical Society (museum), the Community Chest, the Senior Citizens, a literary club, and the World Day of Prayer. She was so good at visiting those who were in nursing homes. One lady, in particular, was blessed to have Verna Mae read her mail to her as well as scripture. It was very hard on VernaMae when everything was shut down due to Covid in 2020. She greatly missed her social interactions with people and the life she had led. VernaMae went to A Daughter’s Love in November 2022, and again enjoyed the community feel of being with a group of people and workers who cared for her. Preceding VernaMae in death were her parents, Sidney and Ruth; brother, William; sister in law, Jean; and nephew, Gregg. She is survived by brother, Donald Leyh and sister, Mary Lou Lovegreen; sister in law Joyce Leyh; 13 nieces and nephews; along with many great nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Jon Speckeen, Dave Speckeen, Dan Speckeen, Tim Leyh, Steve Leyh, Dave Chaffin Burial will be in Zion Cemetery in Bertha, MN.

Verna Mae Leyh

April 30, 1929 - September 6, 2023