VERONA WILGERS
The memorial service for Verona Wilgers is pending until Spring. It will be at St. John de Britto Catholic Church in Britton. Inurnment will be at the Britton Cemetery under the direction of Olson Funeral Chapel of Britton. Verona Abraham was born June 7, 1929, to Tom and Barbara (Vrchota) Abraham. She attended Britton grade school through the 4th grade. Her dad started a road construction company and they moved to Hillhead, SD. While living there she finished grade school in Hillhead and graduated high school in Veblen, SD. She married her love, Doug Wilgers on September 2, 1947. She then began teaching at Sunny Side School where she loved her 13 pupils in 8 grades. That winter of teaching had hard weather – wind, snow and cold, so she and Doug would walk the railroad tracks to a neighboring farm where the farmer graciously gave them a ride to the school by pulling them in a sled behind his tractor. The next year she did not teach as she was having a baby. Becky was born in November 1948. Becky weighed only 4 pounds, but she and Doug loved every bit of her.
In 1950 they moved to Britton. Doug worked on road construction with his fatherin- law while Verona did some substitute teaching in the elementary grades. She enjoyed helping at the church serving meals for funerals, and later October Fest and taco dinners. She also worked at some odd jobs around town. Then, to their joy, they had another baby, Bill, in July 1954. Verona and Doug then started the Kree Mee in 1957, which they enjoyed. It was later sold, and Verona began as Deputy Register of Deeds for 6 years, which ended with an election. She worked at Wilgers Department Store and Pagel’s Dime Store. Their third child, Kenny, was born in May 1965. Life was good. She was hired by the Hospital Administrator as office clerk, then business manager, and then Assistant Administrator. She was acting Administrator 3 times while hiring a new administrator. Her kids were growing, and she enjoyed every minute of all the things they were doing. She was even a chaperone for the football mom school events.
Verona loved bowling and belonging on a team. She also loved golf and did it as often as she could. She and her sister went to many tournaments and she always said: “I didn’t always play well, but it was fun.”
Verona passed away at her home in New Underwood, SD on January 18, 2024 at the age of 94.
She loved her life – her biggest joy was her wonderful husband and kids. She always said her life was a happy one with all those loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband; her parents; sister and brother-in-law, DoRell and Gordon Dugdale; Doug’s parents and his brothers, Don, Richard and Wayne.
She is survived by her children: Becky (Ron) Freeman, SD; Bill (Jeanne) Wilgers, AZ; Ken (Holly) Wilgers, TX; sister, Mable (Marsh) Miller, TX; and brother, Tom Abraham, Britton.
Also survived by her grandchildren: Chad Freeman, NE; Casey (Brady) Carmichael, SD; Lindsay (Chad) Bourg, TX; Laurie (Ryan) Lilly, AZ; Dan Peterson, NY; Kenneth Wilgers, Jr., TX; Ryan (Sarah) Wilgers, TX; Cullen (Slate) Duclion, VA; Curran Wilgers, CA; Skylar (Kim) Wilgers, TX; Sheridan Wilgers, Maritu Wilgers and Mamush Wilgers, all of TX; her great-grandchildren: Olivia Carmichael, Vance and Callie Bourg, Levi and Luci Lilly, Coy and Hadley Duclion, Ryder Wilgers and Alana Wilgers.
Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Becky Freeman – 417 Janklow Ave – New Underwood, SD 57761.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to one of the following: North Marshall Fire Dept. – c/o Jill Beaner - PO Box 62 - Britton, SD 57430 St. John de Britto Catholic Church – PO Box 108 - Britton, SD 57430 An online guestbook and obituary are available at www. olsonfuneralchapel.com