Verla Lindblad, age 94, of Wolsey, passed away on Monday, February 14, 2022 at Avantara Huron in Huron, South Dakota. Her Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, February 18, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church in Wolsey with burial at Wolsey Cemetery. Her visitation will be from 4-6 PM on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron; or one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. A Prayer Service and Time of Sharing will begin at 6 PM on Thursday night at the funeral home.

Verla Irene Esther (Wheeler) Lindblad, daughter of Benjamin T. and Hazel (Oliver) Wheeler was born on January 26, 1928 on a farm in Powesheik County, Brooklyn, Iowa. At the age of two, her parents moved to Huron and built a home west of the fairgrounds. Verla graduated from Huron High School in 1946. Immediately following graduation, she went to work as a secretary for state's attorney H.W. Markey. She also worked for Andy Palm Insurance before contacting a light case of Polio in 1948. She worked for the Register of Deeds and for Bob Kuni developing the office of the Director of Equalization. In 1963, she started working for the South Dakota Farmers Union, retiring in 1990 and then worked there part-time until 1997. She also served as host on some of the Farmers Union tours.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior by being baptized by immersion in Lake Poinsett. She also sang in the church choir.

In 1954, she married Carl M. Lindblad in Rapid City, came home and lived on the family farm, eventually buying a small farm where she still resided. They raised two sons, Wayne and Vern.

Living on a farm brought her her dream; living on a small acreage, wearing blue jeans, western boots, raising Quarter Horses and showing them. In 1959, county agent Dick Fadgen and Boyden Frericks asked her and Carl if they would like to start a 4-H Horse Club in the county and the first one in the state. They named the club the 4-H Riders and held their first county show with seven members in August of 1959. She was the County 4-H horse leader for 13 years. She served as secretary-treasurer for the South Dakota Quarter Horse Association; an association she loved dearly, was also point secretary and futurity secretary for a total of 15 years. She showed a yearling filly to runner-up filly in the state and showed a gelding to runner-up in the state and won the first Sportsmanship Award that was started in 1965. She served as school board clerk and township clerk for Theresa Township. She served nine years as a session member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wolsey and did their church calendar for 10 years. She served as treasurer for the Wolsey Tops Club, American Legion Auxiliary, the Wolsey Senior Center, Beadle County Farmers Union and was a member of the VFW Women's Auxiliary in Huron. She served as treasurer for a US House of Representatives candidate.

She was a past member of the Silver Shoes Riding Club, SD Albino Horse Club, SD Paint Horse Association creating the name of "Hoofprints" for their monthly newsletter. She worked for the State Fair in the Hippodrome for 18 years and also served one year in the office registering horses for the fair.

In 1967, she and husband Carl received one of Beadle County's Conservation Awards and in 1985 they received one of South Dakota Farmers Union's Golden Honor Roll Awards. She was a lifetime member of the South Dakota Farmers Union and the South Dakota Quarter Horse Association. Verla also received the "Bob Duxbury Friends of the Fair Award."Verla also loved dogs and raised several breeds of dogs including, Collies, German Shepherds, American Eskimos and Chihuahuas besides taking in strays or finding homes for them.

She loved to write poetry, winning Honorable Mention and Editor's Choice Award in poetry contests. She also wrote little ditties to the tune of other songs for parties. She liked to read, dance, embroidery, play cards, bingo, dominoes and other games. She loved to travel and see the beauty of the USA, rather than go abroad.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carl in 2014; infant brother Prett, brother Floyd and sister LaIlda.

She leaves behind her sons, Wayne (Kathy) and Vern; 5 grandchildren Zack, Angela, Adam, Josh and Tyler; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials in Verla's name.