Vera W. Stahl

of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, May 27, 2015
at Westhills Village in Rapid City at the age of 103

Vera W. Stahl was born October 18, 1911, near Milesville, South Dakota to Edgar and Ella May (Marvin) Watwood. She attended first and second grades in Philip and third through ninth grades in Haakon County. She graduated from Philip High School in 1929. She attended Black Hills Teachers College obtaining a State Teaching Certificate and later earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. She taught thirty-seven years in various schools.

She married Karl C. Stahl on June 25, 1934, in Philip, South Dakota. Due to her husband being an Electrical Engineer and working for two different power companies, they lived in Webster, Clark, Willow Lake, Hebron, Lemmon, Eureka, and Hettinger, North Dakota. In 1994, she moved to Westhills Village in Rapid City.

She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron in Hebron and Hettinger. Vera was also a member of Daughters of the Nile, GFWC, and past member of AAUW. Vera was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Rapid City. She enjoyed playing golf, bridge, and Yahtzee. She also travelled extensively in the United States and around the world.

She is survived by five nieces: Betty Bierwagen of Lisbon, North Dakota; Jeannine Ward and Arlyce Naeve of Rapid City; Ella Marie Braley of Oregon, and Jeannie Stahl of Phoenix, Arizona; two nephews Don Watwood of Nemo, and Bill Stahl of Midland; several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Vera was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three brothers, and five sisters.

Graveside services with Eastern Star services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 1, at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip, with Pastor Lauren Ley officiating.

A public luncheon will follow at the Bad River Senior Citizens Center in Philip.

Memorials have been established to Trinity Lutheran Church and Westhills Village Foundation.

Service Details

Graveside services: 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 1, at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Guest Book

Vera was my fifth grade teacher and a fellow Beta Sigma Phi member. She and Karl were neighbors to my grandparents. What a dear lady- I remember her kindness, her bowl of candy for visitors, and what an interesting woman she was with all of her experiences
   ~ Deb Wilen Rapid City (5/27/2015)
Vera Stahl was my 7th grade teacher and served as a lifelong inspiration for me. She was a member of my "personal" board of directors who I tried to emulate in my life. I can remember Karl walking down the street in Hettinger. His office was next to my Dad's service station. Vera gave me an interest in travel and seeing the world as well. She also made items for veterans in the VA hospitals and did so even in the last few years. She was a great lady.
   ~ Al Cornella Rapid City, SD 57702 (5/27/2015)