Verna A. Stoneberg, age 98, of Helena passed away Sunday morning March 23, 2014 in Helena.
Verna was born October 16, 1915 in Ringling, Montana to Louis and Theodora (Vinningland) Arthun. She received her education and graduated high school in Ringling. Verna received her B.S. Degree in Education from Western Montana College at Dillon. She and Allen Stoneberg were married November 21, 1937 in Helena, Montana. The made their home in Helena. Verna was an Elementary School teacher for 30 years and a mother of two children. Verna retired from teaching in 1978 and Allen and she spent winters in Arizona.
Verna was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She was active in teaching Sunday school, Church Choir, Women church groups, Delta Kappa Gamma member. Also a member of Kappa Kappa Iota, P.T.A., M.E.A., N.E.A., AARP and Retired Teachers and was a Cub Scout Mother and Brownie Leader.
She loved children dearly as well as many people. She enjoyed working with people, loved reading, traveling, sewing, homemaking, and enjoyed her family and extended family, especially grandchildren and many many friends nieces and nephews. Verna was always willing to help neighbors, friends, and even strangers. She enjoyed dinner parties and social gatherings in her home.
Verna was preceded in death by her husband Allen; brothers, Carl, Len, Harold, Thelbert and Derrill and her son-in-law Gary Swanson. She is survived by her son Ted (Carla) Stoneberg of McCordsville, Indiana; daughter, Bonnie Swanson of Monticello, Utah; granddaughter, Michelle Hammond and her husband Chad, granddaughter Cynthia Ridgeway and her husband Kevin; grandson, Kenton Swanson and his wife Sandy, grandson, Nathan Swanson and his wife Ashley, grandson, Jayman Swanson and his wife Erin; seven great grandchildren, Sean, Andrew, Jackson, Quinn, Lauryn, Aubrey and Ivan. Verna is also survived by her only sibling, sister, Harriet Celar of Helena.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Church followed by interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Helena. A reception will be hosted in the basement of St. John’s Lutheran Church immediately following interment.
Memorials in Verna name are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church 1000 Helena, Avenue, Helena, Montana 59601 or to an organization or charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit below to offer the family condolences or to share a memory of Verna.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday March 28, 2014
St. John’s Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave
Helena , Montana 59601
Burial
Folowing the Service
Friday March 28, 2014
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Ave
Helena , Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Friday March 28, 2014
St. John’s Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave
Helena , Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday March 28, 2014
St. John’s Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave
Helena , Montana 59601
Burial
Folowing the Service
Friday March 28, 2014
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Ave
Helena , Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Friday March 28, 2014
St. John’s Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave
Helena , Montana 59601
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Ann Shannon Brooke says
I will always remember Verna fondly from all the wonderful gatherings our two families shared.
We had many delicious meals together and I remember playing Kick the Can on your street. Verna and Al were always so welcoming. I am glad I had a chance to visit Verna at Touch Mark last year as we had a wonderful conversation. We are presently in California so will be unable to attend her funeral service. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
Ann and Tom Brooke
Nancy Thorbergson says
Well I do not know where to begin! I was a second grader at Central School with Verna as my teacher! She was a wonderful person! I have thought about her over the years wondering where she was and what she was doing! She and Mrs. Page were my two favorite teachers at Central School! That was because they were so caring and loving with us kids! I remember her caring touch on our shoulder as she help us with our assignments and that wonderful smile to this day… God Bless and our deepest sympathy are with you all. Nancy(Thorbergson) Duel
Lorrie Grotbo says
Dear Family of Verna–Ted , Carla & family and Bonnie & family, and “Sis” and family; especially all of Verna’s nefews and nieces of Helena who were devoted to her:
While Verna lived a long and full life, I am still very sad at our loss.
She was a remarkable woman the likes of which I may never meet again. I have so many memories to cherish from time spent with her as a neighbor and dear friend to our family. Her faith and love of her family was always in evidence. Her energy was boundless and her capacity for socializing legendary.
I appreciated her perspective of life, through her lens of an era gone by. She always had a keen sense of humor and gave sage advice. She will be missed deeply by the Grotbo family. May she rest in peace. And May God’s peace be with you- her family as you say your earthy goddbyes.
Rhonda Strainer says
Family and Friends of Mrs. Stoneberg,
Mrs. Stoneberg was my 2nd grade teacher at Central School also (50 years ago). I too have thought of her many times over the years. I think what I remember most, and why I enjoyed her so much is she was always so happy and back in those days it was OK for a teacher to give you a hug. You could really tell and feel that she enjoyed her work as a teacher. She was gracious and oh so kind! I’m glad I have these happy memories of her.
You have my sincere sympathy and may all the memories you hold close to your hearts sustain you in the days ahead.
Rhonda Strainer
Val Flansaas says
Family of Verna. I lived next door to Verna growing up on First St. In recent years got to visit with her at Masonic functions. Such a wonderful lady. She will be greatly missed.
Wayne Braun says
Dear Family of Verna,
Many of good times were had with Verna and her family- Ted and I would play football and other games while others played cards. Many thanks to the Stoneberg family for all the amazing times our family had camping and fishing at the Arthun’s ranch. I send my condoloensce to the family, I would have attended but have been in Arizona for the winter. She will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Wanye Braun
Susan Leaphart says
I loved Mrs. Stoneberg. She was one of the few teachers I had throughout school who really encouraged my innate love of reading. She created a Reading Chart to hang on the classroom wall. I can still remember the joy I took in pasting a little piece of colored paper on the Chart each time I finished reading a book. Of course, she was too fine a teacher to ignore my lapses in arithmetic and made sure I took a little extra homework back to the house to see if I couldn’t develop a similar interest in numbers. Didn’t really work. But oh, how I love to read. She was a wonderful, kind woman who instilled in all of her students a sense of confidence and self worth. In short, she gave all of us a very happy start. Please accept my condolences for your loss.
Sincerely,
Susan Leaphart