Verda Battles of Jefferson died Friday, July 22, 2016.
A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, July 30 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson, officiated by Rev. Timothy A. Jones. Mark Erickson was the organist and the congregation sang “Amazing Grace,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “A Mighty Fortress.” Honorary bearers were the grandchildren: Lewis Kendall, Sam Kendall, Stacey Anderson, Steven Anderson, Laura Anderson-Smoot, Kelly Thede-Derry and the late Mark Kendall. A funeral luncheon followed. Private interment was in Jefferson Cemetery.
Verda Louise Kopaska Battles, daughter of Otto Edgar Kopaska and Ida Florence Messenger Kopaska, was born May 9, 1931 in Guthrie County, Iowa. She died July 22, 2016, at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa, with her family by her side at the age of 85 years.
Verda grew up in Guthrie County and attended school through the 8th grade. On February 10, 1950, Verda was united in marriage to Johnie Battles at the United Methodist Church in Rippey, Iowa. They were the proud parents of two children, Katherine and Linda. They made their home in rural Jefferson. Verda worked side-by-side with Johnie farming on the family farm by Squirrel Hollow and she raised chickens and ducks.
In 1964, Verda and Johnie gave up farming and moved to Jefferson and she worked at the Middle School as a cook for many years. In 1970, Johnie and Verda opened Battles Auto Repair and Towing Service in Jefferson. They ran the business together with Verda doing books, scheduling appointments and operating the CB radios to inform the wrecker drivers of their next location and customer pick up.
Verda loved her family and spent many, many hours babysitting her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to keep her hands busy and would always be making something. She loved to knit, crochet, embroidery and sew clothing for herself and family members. Verda also took classes to learn to play the organ and make porcelain dolls. She was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson.
Verda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Johnie; her daughter, Katherine; grandson, Mark Kendall; brothers, Willard and Elmer; sisters: Twilla Kopaska in infancy, Loris Paige and Jean Banks.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Dennis) Battles-Thede of Jefferson; six grandchildren: Lewis Kendall, Sam (Amanda) Kendall, Stacey (Meghan) Anderson, Steven (Jane) Anderson, Laura (Marcus) Anderson-Smoot and Kelly (Adam) Thede-Derry; many great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Robert (Sandra) Battles of Minneapolis, Minn. and Gary (Johnnie) Battles of Oklahoma City, Okla.; numerous nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, www.sliningerschroeder.com.