Verdella Emerson, 90, of Columbus, died Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 10:30 AM, at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus with Rev. Cory Burma officiating. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery in Columbus. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service on Wednesday at 10:15 AM at the church. Memorials are suggested to Peace Lutheran Church. The service will be broadcast live at https://www.youtube.com/@PeaceColumbus/streams

Verdella Mae Emerson was born November 21, 1935, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to Brune and Bertha (Rathe) Meints. She was baptized in Beatrice and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Wymore, Nebraska. She graduated from Holmesville High School in Holmesville, Nebraska, where she was active in volleyball and softball.

Verdella was united in marriage to the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Emerson, on December 27, 1953, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Wymore. Together they celebrated 72 years of selfless, committed and playful love. They lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Lincoln, Nebraska and Des Moines, Iowa before settling into their lifetime home in Columbus.

Verdella and Bob were blessed with a son – Stan and a daughter – Lyndy. Family was Verdella’s greatest joy, and she made sure that everyone knew and felt her love for them. The warmth of her smile, the touch of her hand and her large home cooked meals conveyed her unconditional love for them.

She and Bob were charter members of Peace Lutheran Church. She served as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the altar guild and LWML. Her greatest calling at Peace Lutheran was serving as an active member of the Stephen Ministry program and through this program, shared compassion and caring for others and shared her faith in Jesus Christ as her personal savior.

Verdella was a creative and artistic person. She expressed her abilities through many avenues. She used her skills in sewing, creating a variety of garments. Her artistry expanded into painting china plates, tea sets, lamps for her grandchildren and family members. She enjoyed embroidering many doilies and table scarves.

For 20 years, Verdella was an assistant at the Guidance Department at Columbus High School. She was very active in golf, winning numerous tournaments at her home course, belonging to the Nebraska Woman’s Golf Association and participating in several tournaments throughout the state. She and Bob spent 20 winters in the Phoenix, Arizona area, where she enjoyed golfing, playing bridge with her many friends in Phoenix as well as those from Columbus. Verdella made friends wherever she went and that circle of friends only grew larger over the years.

Verdella is survived by:
Husband – Bob Emerson of Columbus, NE
Son – Stan (LeAnne) Emerson of Columbus, NE
     Grandson – Jeremy (Katie) Emerson of Shottisham, England
          Great Grandchildren – Vivi and Logan Emerson
     Grandson – Bryan (Jessica) Emerson of St. Charles, MO
          Great Grandchildren – Addison and Oakley Emerson
     Grandson – Jonathan (Cassie) Emerson of Sioux Falls, SD
          Great Grandchildren – Casper and Luna Emerson
     Granddaughter – Kaleigh (Kaleb) Christensen of Blair, NE
          Great Grandchildren – Karter, Kasen and Kollyns Christensen
Daughter – Lyndy (Steve) Britzman of Brookings, SD
     Grandson – Garth (Breanne) Britzman of Sacramento, CA
          Great Grandchild – Lola Britzman
     Granddaughter – Katelyn (Nathaniel) Condelli of Brookings, SD
          Great Grandchild – Emerson Condelli
Brother – Gayle (Carolyn) Meints of Columbus, NE
Brother – Gary (Connie) Meints of Parker, CO
Sister-in-law – Jeanine Husa of Greenwood Village, CO

Verdella was preceded in death by:
Parents – Brune & Bertha Meints