She grew up on a small farm 3 miles west of Cozad and attended a two-room country school through 8th grade. Verla graduated from Cozad High School in 1968. During her high school years, she worked as an A&W skating car hop at the Rialto Theater.
After high school Verla attended Queen Anne’s School of Beauty in Kearney, NE and worked as a hair stylist in Gothenburg for two summers. In the fall of 1969, she enrolled in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study elementary education. Verla was the first person in her family to attend college. While at UNL she met Jay Ringenberg, ROTC cadet. They were married on June 20, 1971, at American Lutheran Church in Cozad, NE and immediately moved to Fort Knox, KY.
In 1973 Jay and Verla moved to Lincoln, NE to raise their family. Verla went back to school part-time and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982 and a Master of Science degree in 1992. She spent 30 years teaching and writing curriculum for Lincoln Public Schools, most of that time at Lux Middle School as a 6th grade team leader, language arts and social studies teacher. Verla was the recipient of many local and state educational awards. She retired from teaching in 2011.
Verla had many hobbies including playing bridge, family genealogy, quilting, knitting, reading and volunteering. She volunteered in multiple roles at Sheridan Lutheran Church, the LARSP Board, and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Other than her family, Verla’s true love was traveling. Verla and Jay traveled extensively and visited 40 different countries and all the U.S. states.
Verla was a dedicated wife, loved her family fiercely, and thoroughly enjoyed spoiling her grandkids. She will be tremendously missed! Verla is survived by her husband Jay; daughter Nikki (Kelly) Wilken of Omaha, NE, son Anthony (Audra) Ringenberg of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren Broderick and Maxwell Wilken, Alexander and Lillian Ringenberg; brother-in-law Tod (Lorraine) Ringenberg of Elkhorn, NE and nephew Todd (Pam) Laird of Manhattan, KS. She was proceeded in death by her parents and her sister Laraine Cullers.
Life Celebration Gathering will be from 5-7 pm Thursday, January 9, 2025, Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive.
Memorial service: 11:00 am Friday, January 10, 2025, Sheridan Lutheran Church, 6955 Old Cheney Rd.
Memorials to Sheridan Lutheran Church – Barnabas Community or The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools.