Verla May's Life Story

Written in her own handwriting and typed by her granddaughter Stephanie.

Verla Gaynelle Strasburg May was born July 7, 1928, in Garfield Table, Nebraska. At the age of one year, she moved to the bottom of the hill ¼ mile to the north. She walked to Plesant Vale School- two miles from home- and graduated from Arnold High School in 1945.

Verla worked for Hazel Halub at the Five and Dime Store for several years. In 1946, she met Robert (Bob) May at a dance, and they dated until April 10, 1947, when they were married. They lived in Rosentraiter (Worrel) house south of Arnold until Dec. 1947, when they moved to 607 N. Carroll, Arnold, NE. Verla worked at the Gamble Store for five years, Watson Grocery for five years, and Arnold State Bank for 17 years.

Bob and Verla had a son, Leon in 1948, and a daughter, Ardis in 1952.  Verla's parents were Lavern and Pearl (Nelson) Strasburg. Pearl passed away in 1955, and Lavern passed away in 1966. Verla had a sister Veva who passed away in 1968. Bob passed away in October 2000.

Leon married Karen Rapp in 1970 and had four children: Stephanie, Jason, Darren, and Cassandra. Ardis married Bob Ewoldt in 1971 and they and two children: Michelle and Chris. Bob and Ardis divorced in 1991.

Funeral Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025 at the Arnold Baptist Church with Pastor Irv Jennings officiating. Burial will follow at the Arnold Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Missions Funds at the Arnold Baptist Church.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com .

Verla's Testimony

Verla was a devout Christian and wrote out her testimony that she asked to have shared. This was typed out by her granddaughter Stephanie.

In March 1970, my boss, Bob Watson wanted us to go to a Jerry Beltz Crusade, and we told him maybe. Then after supper we looked out the window and Smokey Klener in a wheelchair was going (it had snowed about one foot). So, we decided to go. We sat and really enjoyed Jerry's message. They had the alter call song, "Just as I am." We had the song book upside down when we were singing and then both went forward at the same time to receive Christ as our Savior. Our life hasn't been the same since. We have both loved the Lord for 30 years.