Verna Mae Benton, 84, died Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. A funeral is planned for Saturday, May 27, 2017, 10 am, at Custer Lutheran Fellowship. Visitation will be Friday, May 26, 2017, 5-7 pm at Custer Lutheran Fellowship.

Verna Mae was born on May 25, 1932 in Parkston, SD to Earnest H. And Viola C. (Zangle) Bertram. She was baptized June 26, 1932 and confirmed June 30, 1946 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Dimock, SD.

She graduated from Parkston High School in 1950, while also working as a candy striper at the hospital. She was united in marriage on February 21, 1951, to Gerhardt M. Semmler at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Dimock, SD. They moved west to the Black Hills in 1957, and to Custer in 1965. Verna Mae and Gerhardt worked for Lutheran Outdoors Camps for many years, serving as care taker and cook of Atlantic Mountain Ranch until shortly after Gerhardt died in 1973. With God's help, a loving extended family and supportive community, she finished raising their 6 children.

Verna Mae pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse by first working as a nurse's aide at Colonial Manor, and then earning her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Black Hills School of Practical Nursing in Rapid City in 1977. She worked as a nurse at the Manor and then the hospital until her retirement. She also pursued massage therapy and worked as a masseuse for a number of years.

Verna Mae was thankful to God for blessing her with love two more times. She married Ed Combs in 1982, who died in 1984. She married Ed Benton in 1987. She and Ed Benton created a wonderful combined family and legacy; sharing Jesus, love and grace to many during their 14 years together until Ed's death in 2001.

Verna Mae lived out her faith and touched countless people with her positive, can do spirit; her generosity; willingness to listen; and compassion. She was joyful and silly and not afraid to be unconventional to get the job done. She loved to dance and enticed countless souls to the dance floor or field to do the hokey pokey or learn the "Allemande Left and the Grand Right and Left" step of the square dance. She instilled a love of cooking and baking to her grandchildren by baking her famous cinnamon rolls with them and lending a shoulder to cry on.

Verna Mae survived by her six children, Merle (Deb) Semmler of Buffalo Gap, SD; Delilah (Peter) LeGeros of Minneapolis, MN; Cindy (August) Heyne of Custer,SD; Faye (Dean) Braaten of Loveland, CO; Peggy (John) Beck of San Jose, CA, and Kathie (Tom) Papendick of Canistota, SD; god-daughter, Kim (Brian) Ellerton; grandchildren & great-grandchildren, Cristi Semmler, Melinda Fortune, Madison Semmler, Garrett Fortune, Derek and Calli LeGeros, Christopher and Michael (Emily) Heyne, Jessica (Jake Allen) Braaten, Ethan and Ezra Allen, Nicole and Johnathan Braaten, Charis and Luke Beck, Kendra Nothdurft, Cole and Kayla Mae Papendick, Karyn, Karmyn, and Baylor Ellerton; step-sons, Art (Georgia) Benton of Sheridan, WY; Jim (Cindy) Benton of Hot Springs, SD; and daughter-in-law, Betty Benton of Edgemont, SD.

She is also survived by her loving siblings, Norrene Cozine of Chanhassen, MN, Elaine Pankaski of Commerce City, CO, Doris (Alan) Schneider of Mitchell, SD, Doyle (Mary) Bertram of Corsica, SD, Phyllis (Larry) Boddicker of Parkston, SD; sister-in-law, Margaret Bertram of Armour, SD ; numerous nieces and nephews.

Verna Mae was also loved by Ed Benton's descendants Linda (Michael) Koopman, Christopher Koopman, Michelle (Derik) Jones, Hayden and Adrienn Jones, Lorna (Kevin) Severy, Brooke Severy, Garrett Severy, Nicole Vylidahl, Owen and Jade Vyhidal, Stephanie Severy, Leanne (Brett) Nelson, Nicole (Aaron) Nash, Ellie and Brody Nash, Brittany Nelson, Jennifer (Tom) Richards, Tom (Kaa) Benton, Mitch Kaysi, Isabella, Saphima, Closondra, Edwin, and Coralin Benton, Alan (Anita) Benton, Ashley (Aaron) Kuha, Amanda (Zach) Zarling, Zoey and Alex Zarling.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her three husbands; brother, William (Bill) Bertram; grandson, Nathan Braaten; step-son Wesley Benton; son-in-law, Gary Blackmore; daughter-in-law, Debra Semmler; grandson-in-law, Joe Fortune; numerous brother and sister-in-laws.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Custer Lutheran Fellowship Camper Scholarship fund (12622 US HWY 16A, Custer, SD 57730) or a charity of your choice, are appreciated.