Verna Edington
The Nebraska Signal
15 March 2000
Verna Nelson Edington was born in Chelsea Township on May 31, 1906. Her parents were John August Edward Nelson and Tekla Peterson Nelson. She died at Tabitha in Lincoln, on March 6, 2000, at the age of 93.
Verna attended Alpine School District 65, and graduated from Geneva High School in 1923. She then taught at Alpine before attending Wesleyan University and obtaining her teacher’s certificate. It was while teaching in Grand Island that she met her future husband, James T. Edington. Verna continued to teach in Sterling, Colo. and Fairbury where her husband worked for the Chamber of Commerce. During and after the polio epidemic Jim worked with the Polio Foundation throughout the United States. Jim later served as Director of the Nebraska State merit System, and they made their home in Lincoln. Verna left teaching to raise their son, James R. She joined Methodist Churches wherever she lived and was a loyal member of St. Paul’s in Lincoln until her death. She was also an active member of PEO, Chapter FW.
Verna’s life was full of service to others through her church, PEO and teaching. She was a talented seamstress and singer, a wonderful cook, a devoted mother and wife, and a "devout" Swede. Rheumatoid arthritis struck Verna in her early 30’s and yet she willed herself to keep active and useful and deal with that pain for almost 60 years.
Verna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James T. Edington; sister, Sylvia Beams; brother-in-law, Albert Beams; brother, Oscar Nelson; and sister-in-law, Wilma Nelson.
She is survived by her son James R. Edington, daughter-in-law Karen, and grandson Ryan of Omaha; a niece, Christie Andersen of Seattle, WA; nephew, John Nelson and wife, Judith of Omaha; grandnieces and nephews, Martha, Andrew and Braden Nelson and Sarah Andersen.
Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 9, with Rev. Brian Kottas and Rev. Warren Swartz officiating.
Delwyn Myers sang "Amazing Grace’ and "The Lord’s Prayer’ accompanied by Susan Kleinschmidt.
Casket bearers were John Nelson, Braden Nelson, Keith Nunns, Rodger Anderson, Lowell Anderson and Tom Novak.
After one last trip to the farm where she was born and raised, interment was in the Geneva Public Cemetery.
Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial donations can be given to Nebraska Wesleyan University or The National Arthritis Foundation.