Verle G. O’Connell

April 29, 1944 - May 13, 2023

Visitation: Visitation will be Monday, May 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD

Service: Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD. 

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Verle G. O’Connell, age 79, died unexpectedly, Saturday, May 13, 2023.  Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD.  Visitation will be Monday, May 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD.

          Verle was born on April 29, 1944 in Beresford, SD to Henry and Adeline (Neuroth) O’Connell.  He grew up in Beresford, graduating from Beresford High School in 1962. He married Marlys Olson on June 19, 1965 in Beresford, SD.  The couple made their home in Hawarden, IA before moving to Canton, SD.

          Verle spent 35 years driving truck for Wells Blue Bunny and was presently employed as a truck driver for CHS in Canton, SD.  He was a jack-of-all-trades who could fix or make anything.  He enjoyed handyman work, woodworking, mowing, collecting guns, model trains, history, travel and his dogs.  He loved driving and maintaining his fleet of white vehicles and cherished time spent with his daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also thrilled to share a birthday with his great-grandson, Connell.  He had recently began making whisky barrel water pumps and was a former motorcycle Shriner and member of Ducks Unlimited.  He will be remembered as a man of few words but when he did speak, you better have listened.

          Grateful for sharing his life are his daughter, Lisa Page; grandchildren, Keegan (Suzie) Warwick, Riley Page, and Madison (Sam) McLaughlin; great-grandchildren, Lydia Warwick, Connell Warwick, Ashton McLaughlin, and baby Grayson McLaughlin due soon; sisters, Carol (Rich) Gill and Connie (Paul) Knudsen; along with numerous extended relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marlys, son Jeff, and brother Darrell.

 

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11 messages have been left

  1. Becky on May 14, 2023 said:

    sorry for the loss he will be greatly missed 😢

  2. Lynda johnson on May 14, 2023 said:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family

  3. Rosemary Mullin on May 15, 2023 said:

    My sincere thoughts and sympathy to the family. Verle was a classmate of mine and agree he was man of few words, but he talked and talked at our last reunion and was so much fun. May you find peace in the coming days.

  4. Christi (O’Connell) Gant on May 15, 2023 said:

    So sorry to hear Verle’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  5. Brian Robert Lind on May 15, 2023 said:

    God Bless you Verle. You were a world class person. Rest in Peace sir.

  6. Jan Patnoe Diamantine on May 16, 2023 said:

    A very nice obit. I was a classmate of Verle’s, graduating from Beresford High School in 1962. Yes, Verle was a man of few words, but always a nice guy. Take care and cling to the memories of your Dad/Grandpa/Great Grandpa.

  7. Ronald Hurd on May 16, 2023 said:

    Well now I understand the heritage in Connell’s name and birth date. I am sadden to learn of Verle’s sudden departure from this life, but I am honored to learn about his life. May our words of comfort help the sorrow and grief easier to bear. 🙏

  8. Cathy Myrabo on May 21, 2023 said:

    Oh my gosh! I am so sorry to hear of Pa’s passing. I always enjoyed having him as a neighbor. He was always willing to help us out and missed living across the street. Hugs to you all!

  9. harlan hartman on May 21, 2023 said:

    so sorry for your loss. i worked with verlyn in beresford when we opened the super valu store,remember him well. nice guy. 1962,63,64,65,

  10. Diane Wells on May 22, 2023 said:

    My thoughts and prayers are with all the family. Verle was a classmate of mine.
    The last few years classmates that lived around here meet once a month for coffee
    Verle would come to the coffees when he could. We all enjoy the coffees.
    We surely will miss him.

  11. LeAnn K Knudson on May 27, 2023 said:

    I’m so sorry to hear of Verle’s passing. We were neighbors in the country growing up and went to high school together. I was in Class of 63 and I also worked with his brother Darrell at the Council Oak store in Beresford. They were a good family and Verle was very nice. I wish I could have seen him recently but guess our paths never crossed. My sympathy to the family at the loss of a fine man.