Verna M. Jaspersen Smeby

September 11, 1933 – January 16, 2020

Verna M. (Jaspersen) Smeby, 86, Northwood, formerly of rural Joice, passed away Thursday, Jan. 16, at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice, Mason City. A memorial service for Verna will be held 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 31, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Joice, with Pastor Bill Peters officiating. Her family will be at the church to greet friends and relatives from 9 a.m. until service time Friday, Jan. 31. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, rural Joice. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to MercyOne North Iowa Hospice, Northwood Meals on Wheels, c/o Northwood Senior Center, or to Bethany Lutheran Church, Joice.
Verna Marie Jaspersen was born Sept. 11, 1933 to Chris and Ingeborg (Strandskov) Jaspersen at Franklin County Hospital. She attended country school at Latimer. In 1939, the family moved to rural Clear Lake, where she attended Clear Lake County School.
Verna met Royden Smeby at the roller-skating rink in Clear Lake and they were married Aug. 7, 1955. Verna and Royden moved to Joice, where they began their 61-year life together.
 Verna worked alongside Royden on the farm, driving the tractor, and bringing the men food and water during long days of planting and harvesting. She was a dedicated, hardworking farm wife and did whatever was needed to help with the success of the farm business.
After Verna and Royden retired from farming, they were able to spend 10+ winters in Arizona, where they had many friends, enjoyed playing many hands of cards, and were great tour guides when friends and family visited. Verna also loved fishing and they spent time at Lake Winnibigoshish catching Walleyes and spending time with Verna’s brother, wife and family—Harold and Viola.
Verna was a long-time member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Joice, where her strong faith helped in supporting this small church. She had a love for music, playing the piano and using her great singing voice.
After Royden died in 2016, Verna moved to Northwood and lived at the Maple Court Senior Apartments where she had a full life of playing cards, working on puzzles and sharing friendships with others living in the apartments. She lived there until her death Jan. 16, 2020.
Verna’s love of family could always be felt and certainly was the center of her life. She is lovingly survived by three children: Cheryl (Dave) Schulte, LaCrescent, Minn.; Brenda (Patrick Hagan) Smeby, Minneapolis, Minn.; and Mark (Lori) Smeby, Joice; five grandchildren: Greg (Becky) Schulte, Rochester, Minn.; Kristy (Robert)Lipscomb, Wabasha, Minn.; Joa (Andy) Koeneke, Minneapolis, Minn.; Brandon (Lauren) Smeby, Joice; and Daniel (Kelly) Schulte, Osseo, Wis.; 12 great-grandchildren: Owen and Graham Schulte; Aubrey, Landon, Brogen and Maia Lipscomb; Ida and Rex Koeneke; Clara and Holden Smeby and Jaxon and Brooks Schulte; siblings: Herluf Jaspersen, Peculiar, Mo.; Earl (Charlene) Jaspersen, Clear Lake; Esther Gilbertson, Billings, Mont.; and sisters-in-law: June Jaspersen, Albert Lea, Minn.; and Marlys Jaspersen, Cedar Rapids. Survivors from Royden’s family include Viola (Gerry) Jurasek, Mason City; Wally (Criss) Smeby, Mason City; Glenn (Janet) Smeby, Marion; and Linda Smeby, Clear Lake; beloved cousin, Hertha (John) Haas, Harlan; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Verna was proceeded in death by her beloved husband, Royden; her parents; two children: Mike Smeby and Janyce Smeby; brothers-/sisters-in-law: Lloyd and Alma Jaspersen; Alfa and Walter Nickerson; Ervin and Velma Jaspersen; Harold and Viola Jaspersen; Arlo Jaspersen; Betty Jaspersen; Leo Jaspersen; John Smeby, Jr.; Byron Smeby; and Jan Smeby.

 

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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