Veva Wernke

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, May 27, 2025
at Clarkson Health Care in Rapid City at the age of 97

Veva E. Haidle was born July 3, 1927, in Bonesteel, South Dakota to Curtis and Bertha (Pyle) Haidle. She grew up on a farm near St. Charles, SD where she attended her first 10 years of school. Her folks moved to Minnesota where she then attended her junior year at Onamia, Minnesota before moving to California where she made her home with her grandmother. Veva graduated from Redondo Beach High School in Redondo Beach, CA. Upon graduating she worked for the U.S. Navy on Terminal Island for one year before returning home.

Veva was united in marriage to Kenneth E. Wernke on October 5, 1946 at Fairfax, SD by Father Dube.

They made their home in Armour, SD where she worked for the County Extension service and the county agent until Ken was called to active duty by the Navy during the Korean War. They made their home in Bremerton, WA where they resided until June when she moved to Hayward, CA to be near her brother while Ken was overseas. After his discharge in 1952, the family moved to White River, SD for a year on her brother’s ranch before moving to Armour, SD. While living in Armour, Veva worked for the SD Selective Service.

In 1956 the family moved to Wall, SD where Veva worked as a clerk for Shelton’s V-Store for 10 years prior to working as a supervisor at the Wall Drug Store, a position she held until retiring in 1988 after 11 years of service. Ken and Veva then did some travelling to see family and sightseeing. They continued to make their home in Wall.

Veva was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and was president of the Altar Society. She served as Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, was a member of the Wall P.T.A., and was also a member of the Carroll McDonald American Legion Auxiliary. Veva enjoyed the Young At Heart gatherings and Badland Quilters.

Veva was a busy hobbyist teaching herself to sew, delving in ceramics, wood working, tole painting, hardanger embroidery, and quilting. She made many special friends over the years and had a walking companion named “Buffy” for 19 years.

Grateful for having shared her life are her four sons, Doug (Sue) Wernke of Rapid City, SD, Michael (Editha) Wernke of Chandler, AZ, David (Sonia) Wernke of Redmond, OR, and Mark (Caitlin) Wernke of Grand Junction, CO; five grandchildren, Michael, Kevin, Matthew, Jonathan, and Thomas; two step-granddaughters Codie and Carlie; a special companion “Toby”; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Veva was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny, in 1999; infant son Patrick; her parents Curtis and Bertha Haidle; three brothers Ross, Harvey and Ben Haidle; one sister Lucine Smizer; one grandson Jonathan Wernke; and her fluffy little companion “Buffy”.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a vigil/rosary service at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 2025 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wall.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 2, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wall with Father Jonathan Dillon as celebrant.

Interment will follow at the Wall Cemetery.

Service Details

VISITATION
Sunday, June 1, 2025 - 5-7 p.m.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
Wall, South Dakota

VIGIL/ROSARY SERVICE
Sunday, June 1, 2025 - 7 p.m.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
Wall, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Monday, June 2, 2025 - 10:30 a.m.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
Wall, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Jonathan Dillon

MUSIC
Gene and Rita Patterson
Ciara Cerney - Bailey Cerney
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
“Near to the Heart of God”
“The Servant Song”
“Song of Farewell”
“Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”

ALTAR SERVER
Justin Leonard

GIFT BEARERS
Mike Pahl - Pam Pahl

USHERS
Dave Curtis - John Naescher

PALLBEARERS
Wayne Shull - Melanie Shull - Brett Blasius
Paula Blasius - Chad Cerney - Tacasa Cerney

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota

Guest Book

So sorry for your loss your folks were very good friends of ours they were such Great people.
   ~ Bonnie Madsen Kadoka S D (6/1/2025)
So sorry for the loss of your Mother. It was so nice getting to visit with her on Mother’s Day at Clarkson.
   ~ Ronda Hamann Wall, SD (5/30/2025)
I had the great fortune to visit Aunt Veva twice in the last 10 years with my family, including my dad, Ross, Aunt Veva’s brother Ross. Those visits were memorable. I learned Aunt Veva was a straight shooter, the unvarnished truth, but never said out of malice. She believed women weren’t given the same respect as men and it greatly affected our country. She loved her neighborhood, her dog and quilting. She loved and appreciated her family and made quilts for each member. She was kind, the kind of person who drew you into her circle. And she was tough with a sharp mind, defying the stereotype the elders are feeble. She was the last survivor of that branch of the Haidle family. They are our ancestors now, which leaves me with something like a void, but grateful I descended from such hearty stock. Her memory is a blessing. May her family know peace in good time.

   ~ Stacy Haidle Minneapolis, MN (6/3/2025)
Doug & family,
Our deepest sympathies to you and all of your family for the passing of your mom. She was always such a kind person when we visited with her back in the days. May you find peace and comfort in the days ahead knowing she is at rest with the Lord. We will always be grateful to you Doug for your years of kindness and support you so selflessly gave to our family. Prayers and hugs.

   ~ Duane & J’Nai Hauk Quinn, SD (5/29/2025)
We are sorry to hear of Veva passing. Your family was blessed with the greatest parents. May God bless you all at this time. Tom and Kamie Carmichael
   ~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael Rapid City, SD (5/29/2025)

Flowers

Image
Wayne and Melanie Shull
Image
"Grandma"
Image
Nick and Robin Feller Gale and Tina Jensen
Image
MDMS and Measurement Services
Image
"Mom"
Image
Wall Economic Development
Image
Rick, Patt, and Sarah Hustead
Image
Class of '75
Image
City of Wall