Dr. Verla Joann Kroeker Klassen was born on September 29, 1943, to the late John E. and Frieda (Harder) Kroeker, in Mountain Lake. She was baptized in 1955 in Delft. Dr. Verla attended Mountain Public Schools and graduated from Mountain Lake High School in the Class of 1962. She then furthered her education at Bethel College where she received her B.A. Degree in Education and then her M.A. and PhD in Education from the University of Minnesota. She also did her post-doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Verla then taught Kindergarten through 3rd grade and was a Chapter 1 reading teacher first for the St. Paul Public School District from 1966-1972 and the Minneapolis Public School District from 1972-1997. She then put on seminars and instructed teachers until her retirement in 2010. In her early years, Dr. Verla was a member of the Immanuel Mennonite Church in Delft where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, was in the Children's Choir and sand in the choir. As a member of the Calvary Church in Roseville, Dr. Verla sang in the choir. Dr. Verla was also a member of the Kerlan Foundation and served as the Board Chair for the International Reading Association. She had many enjoyments in life which included, writing poetry, working in her yard, planting flowers, needlepoint, crocheting, traveling, and teaching children all over the world to read. Dr.Verla passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2022, at the home in Shoreview. Dr. Verla is survived by her one sister, Orpha Wagner of Encinitas, CA; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, Jeanette (Jason) Breding and their children, Abigail, Bethany, and Caleb of Wasilla, AK. Karen Kroeker of Wasilla, AK. Dale (Rhenda) Kroeker of Duffield, VA, and their daughter, Jessica and children, Elliot and Hudson of Norfolk, VA, Mike (Jeanne) Kroeker of New London, MN, Carol (Greg) Maas and their children, Jacob, Jonny, and Kallie of Sweet Home, OR, Katie (John) Barsch and their children, JP, Everly, Kiera, and Roman of Colorado Springs, CO; Matt Anderson and Nathan Anderson; as well as many close friends. Dr. Verla is preceded in death by her partner, John Manning; parents, John & Frieda Kroeker; brother and sister-in-law, Jerold and Donna Kroeker; and one sister and brother-in-law, Darlene and Devere Anderson. Blessed be the memory of Dr. Verla J. Kroeker Klassen. A private graveside service for family and close friends will be held at the Delft Cemetery with a Celebration of Life Service to be held at a later date at the Calvary Church in Roseville, Minnesota.