Verna Eleanor (Englund) Bruss was born March 9, 1929 on a farm in north central Wisconsin to Ellen and Richard Englund. She attended school in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, graduating in 1947. She attended Barron County Normal School and received a certificate in order to be able to teach. Verna moved to Willmar, Minnesota to take her first teaching job in 1948 teaching grades 1-8 in a one room school house. Several years later she continued her education attending St. Cloud State College on a part time basis, graduating with a Bachelors degree in 1967. Verna's teaching career included teaching in the Eagle Lake Country School, Blomquest and Willmar Public Schools where she worked until her retirement in 1985. Verna lived in Willmar until 1999 when she moved to Woodburn, Oregon to be closer to three of her daughters.

Verna was married to Duane Bruss on August 6, 1950 in Willmar, Minnesota. To this union were born five children, all of whom survive; Carol (David) Hinrichs, Portland, OR, Rick (Darcie) Bruss, Minnetonka, MN, Susan (Bill) Christiansen, Woodburn, OR, Connie (David) Shrout, Albany, OR, and Anita (Mike) South, Calgary, AB Canada.

Verna was very active in her church, teaching Sunday School, leading bible studies, serving on various committees as well as doing volunteer work at the District Offices in Salem.

Verna died November 18, 2014 at the age of 85. Surviving her, in addition to her children are 4 sons-in-law, 1 daughter-in-law, 15 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 4 sisters, Florence Gimse (Willmar, MN), Lillian Bjugstad (Barron, WI), Norma Smith (Lake Wales, FL), Nancy Bailey (Anderson, IN), 1 brother-in-law David Bailey and a host of other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Duane, her parents and grandparents.

Memorial service will be held at Hoodview Church of God in Woodburn, Oregon Tuesday, November 25 at 2:30.