Verna Mae Young, 98 passed away peacefully on July 12, 2022 at her daughter's home in Sun City, AZ, where she had resided for the past three years.

Verna was born May 24, 1924, 15 miles south of Presho, SD (at the time the area was called Sweeny, SD) to William and Matilda (Schultz) Petersen.  Verna attended East Eden Country School until the 8 ^th grade.  She rode her horse to school every day and recalls getting bucked off with her "dinner bucket" flying through the air.  She then attended Presho High School, graduating with a class of 14, in 1943.  During her high school years, she worked at the high school for $6.00 a month and she also waited tables, pumped gas and sold groceries at the local filling station, where she met Victor Young.

On June 12, 1944, at the age of 20 Verna and Victor of Dimock, SD were married.  To this union, three children were born: Bob, Betty and Ron.  After assisting young women of the Philippines with schooling, they brought Marietta Soleminio to SD to become part of their family.  Verna made Lyman County, SD her home, except for four years living in Casper, WY and three years in Sun City, AZ. The "Snow Birds" enjoyed winters in Texas and Arizona for 40 years.

Verna was active in Christ the King Catholic Church for over 60 years.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 89 years including Girls State Counselor for numerous years.  Royal Neighbors for 50 years, Presho School Board member and also served at the Lyman County Historical Museum.  Verna was a finalist for SD Mother of the Year in 1970 and was awarded Presho Distinguished Alumni in 2017.

Verna worked at Beckwith's Coast to Coast for many years and assisted Victor with his business trades, which were Young's Dairy until 1950, where they milked 32 head of cows twice daily, pasteurized and delivered milk and cream locally with the help of Vic's brother Leo Young. After selling the Dairy Business they started Young's Trucking for 25 years.  In 1975, they began Young's Ditching and Excavation for the next 20 years.  Verna was always helping Victor whenever he needed her, whether it was bookwork, driving vehicles to and from the jobs, or gluing the 20ft pipes during their ditching years.

Vic and Verna enjoyed traveling and made many excursions in their motor home.  In their "free time" they spent much time attending their grandchildren's sporting events, 4-H activities, and dance recitals.  Vic and Verna were married 57 years until Victor passed away in 2001.  Verna continued to reside in Vivian until 2019 when she moved to live with daughter Betty in Arizona.  Verna enjoyed playing cards, following her favorite sports teams on TV, poker on her IPAD, bowling nights with Betty and the girls, and of course the Arizona sunshine!  Well known for her amazing potato salad and her ham gravy that was requested at all the Young/Petersen, Deihm, and Schultz family gatherings.  Verna will be remembered for her giggle and dry sense of humor.  She touched the lives of many and as one of her granddaughters said upon her passing, "she was a true legend".

Verna Mae is survived by children Bob (Liz) Young, Spearfish, SD, Betty Peace, Sun City, AZ, Ron (Jeanne) Young, Canistoda, SD and Marietta (Eric) Soleminio, Pierre SD; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Peggy Petersen, Rapid City SD and numerous nieces and nephews.  Verna was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; husband Victor; brother John Petersen and son-in-law Ed Peace.

Services for Verna Mae Petersen Young will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Presho, on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 11am/CT.  Family burial will be at the Holy Angels Catholic Cemetery in Presho, SD later that day.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Presho Christ the King Catholic Church or the Lyman County Historical Museum.

Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com of Spearfish or www.isburgfuneralchapels.com of Pierre.