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Verla I. Hillestad
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NEW GLARUS - Mrs. Verla I. Hillestad, age 91, a former New Glarus resident passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital. She was born on March 17, 1917 in the train depot in Huxley, IA to her parents Charles and Edna Irene (Smith) White. Verla grew up the daughter of a railroad station master and lived in several towns throughout Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. She was a graduate of DeForest High School. Verla attended vocational school for secretarial training in Seattle, WA while living with her cousin. On April 19, 1941 she married William K. Hillestad in Dubuque, Iowa. Verla worked as a secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for fifteen years. She also was a proofreader for the New Glarus Post and the Swiss Church Spire. Verla was a member of the Swiss United Church of Christ in New Glarus, Stuessy-Kuenzi American Legion Auxiliary, Swiss Church Ladies Aid and Women's Guild, and Alpine Club. Verla and her husband enjoyed traveling the country and camping in their RV. They both were members of the Good Sam Club. After her husband passed away Verla continued her travels with trips to Alaska, Florida, and Branson, Missouri. She was proud to have visited every state of the Union except for Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Verla also enjoyed sewing, quilting, and crocheting.

Verla is survived by her two sons, Richard (Judy) Hillestad of Topanga, CA and Robert (LuAnn) Hillestad of Appleton, WI; a daughter, Virginia Rubin of Los Angeles, CA; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Kent) Stevenson, Jesse Hillestad, Jason Hillestad, Robin Hillestad, Stephanie Rubin, Griffin Klema, and Renate Poelman; four great-grandchildren, Damon, Javen, Areli, and Savannah; and a sister, Alice (Rudy) Wegert of Poynette, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband William, brothers Wendell, Lloyd, and Gale White.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at the Swiss United Church of Christ, 18 Fifth Ave., New Glarus, WI, with Rev. Meg Shepherd and Pastor Petra Streiff officiating.

Relatives and friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at the Swiss United Church of Christ, New Glarus.

A memorial fund to mental health and cancer research has been established.