Verna S. Ahntholz

Verna Sylvia (Buchholz) Ahntholz was born May 14, 1916, to Henry F. and Louise (Sodmann) Buchholz on the family farm in Johnson County, NE, east of Elk Creek.

She was baptized at home May 15, 1916, and confirmed at St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Church, Humboldt, NE, September 7, 1930. Her confirmation verse was: John 11:25-26. Her eighth-grade education was completed at the Johnson County Dist. 31 (Pleasant Hill) rural school. In addition to working on the family farm as a young woman, Verna enjoyed a community social life that involved being a part of church activities, community plays, and dances.

After Verna’s marriage to Otto Ahntholz on August 14, 1936, at St. James Lutheran Church, the couple settled on a farm about three miles northeast of Elk Creek. Five years later they moved to a farm nearby, and in 1945 they moved to the farm three miles southeast of Elk Creek where they remained until 1999. Verna and Otto farmed until 1998, and in March 1999, with a need for more support, they moved from their farm to Ankeny, IA, to be closer to family.

Verna and Otto were hard-working farmers who also maintained an active community social life. At St. James Lutheran Church. Verna taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, lead Bible studies, and was active with the women’s group.

On the farm she tended chickens and milked cows and enjoyed helping in the fields. Her Grandmother Buchholz taught her fine sewing, and Verna sewed, mended and patched clothes for herself and her family.

She and Otto supported their children’s activities, attended AKSARBEN events and dances, and played cards in a couples’ card club. Verna had a reputation for baking good cinnamon rolls and bread. She enjoyed flower gardening, embroidery, and crochet. Even though she didn’t enjoy traveling, she and Otto saw various parts of the country, as they followed after their children and grandchildren.

Verna died September 10, 2011, at the Madrid Home, Madrid, IA, where she had been a resident since 2004. She is preceded in death by her husband, Otto (2000), grandson, Layne Johnson (2010), brother, Wilber (2010), sister-in-law, Luella Buchholz (1959), parents, Henry (1977) and Louise (1993) Buchholz, and Otto’s parents, sibblings and spouses.

She is survived by her children: Lois (Keith) Johnson of Pasco, WA; and Kenneth (Lois) Ahntholz of Ankeny, IA. Five grandchildren also survive: Lynn (Susan) Johnson of Lincoln; (Chris Hogan) of Long Beach, CA; Lori (Alan) Scott of Othello, WA; Julie (Jonathan) Kaduce of Meservey, IA; Lars (Brenda) Ahntholz of San Jose, CA; and David (Tracy Boulian) Ahntholz of Aliso Viejo, CA. She was a Great-Grandmother to Jenika (Dan) Florence; Ellie Johnson; Jakob, Drew and Cole Scott; Natasha Martinez; Lea Carlson; and Lily and Leo Ahntholz. Her brother, Harold (Lela) Buchholz, and a sister-in-law, Elma Lee Buchholz, also survive.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, September 24, 2011, at St. James Lutheran Church, rural Humboldt, with visitation an hour before the service. Interment will be in the church cemetery. A lunch will be served by the St. James ELCW following the committal. Pallbearers are: Lynn Johnson, Lori Scott, Julie Kaduce, Lars and David Ahntholz, Natasha Martinez, Ellie Johnson and Lea Carlson.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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