Verda Mae Rummel

CORVALLIS - Verda Mae Rummel, 89, of Corvallis, passed away at her home on Friday morning, November 29, 2013, losing her battle with lung cancer.

Verda was born in Missoula on November 12, 1924 to Peter and Leona (Kolbeck) Verhonik. She was welcomed by older sisters Bethel and Phyllis. Verda grew up on Brooks Street in Missoula and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1942. She caught the eye of a young sailor, J. Clyde Rummel and they married January 27, 1946. The newlyweds settled on a farm on the west side of the Bitterroot Valley, where they lived for nearly 40 years. In the early years she devoted her life to raising their four children and being a good farm wife. Verda spent countless hours in the fields, the garden and the kitchen. She was very active in the 4-H program and served as the Food Chairman at the Ravalli County Fair for many years. She belonged to the Methodist Women's Society, Home Extension Club, Corvallis PTA and often lent a hand in her children's activities.

Verda and Clyde spent many hours designing and building a home on the eastside, moving there in 1983. With the children raised, she developed new interests. She was a docent at the Daly Mansion for many hours and particularly enjoyed giving tours to school children. They loved to get together with friends at Good Sam campouts and spent several winters snow birding in Yuma, Arizona. Verda was extremely self-less; she was often the first to bring a pot of soup to a sick friend or a lemon pie to a grieving family. In her later years she made numerous prayer shawls with her friends at the Corvallis United Methodist Church. She was a proud member of the Corvallis American Legion Auxiliary and could often be found selling poppies or riding the float at the Memorial Day Parade.

Verda enjoyed cards and games, and was a whiz at cribbage and pinochle. Her children and grandchildren found her an extremely worthy opponent, and she usually end up on the plus side.

Verda is survived by her children, Linda Niezgodzki of Corvallis, Pete (Donna) Rummel of East Helena, Carl (Annette) Rummel of Missoula and Julie Rummel of Great Falls; grandchildren, Michael Niezgodzki (Kim) of Norco, California, Michelle (Vince) Zuniga of Westminster, California, Steven Rummel and Jeremy Rummel of East Helena, Josh (Sara) Rummel of Lompoc, California, Jeff Rummel of Missoula, Jarrett (Carly) Rummel of Boise, Idaho, Cedric Jacobson of Derby, Connecticut, and Jillian Jacobson of Woodbridge, Virginia; great grandchildren Kameron and Makaila Niezgodzki, Alyssa, Hailey and Vicente Zuniga, Tori Dess-Rummel and Damon Rummel, her sister-in-law Ruth Lamoreux and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Clyde Rummel (2000), son-in-law, Larry Niezgodzki (2012), grandson, Matthew Niezgodzki (2004), parents, sisters, Bethel Madden (1972) and Phyllis Verhonik (1977) and niece, Aneta Lamoreux.

Memorials may be made to the Corvallis United Methodist Church, the Daly Mansion or charity of the donor's choice.

The family would like to thank Dr. Alan Thomas and his oncology staff the compassionate care they provided. Verda's great sense of humor and quick wit will be missed by many.