Verlene A. Flick, 91, Hartley

A memorial service for Verlene A. Flick was held Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, at Grace Lutheran Church in Primghar. Pastor John Adams officiated.

Pallbearers were Tim O’Brien, Gary Purdy, Tyler O’Brien, James Purdy, Kyle Flick and Kelly Flick. Honorary pallbearers were Jordon Purdy, Jessica Purdy, Tiann Purdy, Katie Flick and Michelle Nurse. Interment was at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Verlene Agnes Flick, the daughter of Clarence and Agnes (Peper) Glaser, was born in Hartley on Aug. 18, 1931. She attended Hartley schools and graduated from Hartley High School in 1949.

Verlene was united in marriage to Pete Flick on July 29, 1951 in Hartley. Verlene did secretarial work for various offices in the O’Brien County Courthouse in Primghar. During their first year of marriage, Pete and Verlene built their first home in Primghar, living with Pete’s parents for six months until their house was complete. It still stands on Highway 59, three houses north of Grace Lutheran Church. They lived there for five years and then began farming northeast of Primghar. In 1963, the family moved to Verlene’s parents’ farm southwest of Hartley where they spent most of their farm life. Their family included four children: Julie, Denise, Darwin and Jill.

Pete and Verlene retired from farming in 1983 and built a home in Hartley. They enjoyed spending summer weekends with family and friends at Lake Okoboji. Verlene was proud to be a snowbird for many years at Valle del Oro in Mesa, Ariz., where they danced, played cards and billiards, and had many coffees and parties. Verlene enjoyed her last two years at Morningside Estates Senior Living and Community Memorial Assisted Living in Hartley, sharing her days with her dear friend and companion, Merlyn Hennings.

Verlene was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Primghar. She was blessed with a long life filled with family, friends and many wonderful memories. She peacefully left this life on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the age of 91. It was a special moment for their children to realize their parents were reunited on their wedding anniversary.

Verlene is survived by her children and their families: Julie (Tim) O’Brien, of Aurora, Colo.; Denise Purdy, of Rapid City, S.D.; Darwin (Michelle) Flick, of Primghar; and Jill (Gary) Purdy, of Kearney, Neb.; eight grandchildren: Tyler (Nicole) O’Brien, of Castle Rock, Colo.; James (Amanda) Purdy, of Blair, Neb.; Kyle Flick, Katie Flick and Kelly Flick, of Hartley; Jordan (Mike) Purdy and Jessica Purdy, of Rapid City, S.D.; and Tiann Purdy, of Kearney, Neb.; and five great-grandchildren: Colby and Chace Grengs, of Castle Rock, Colo.; Matthew Staedtler, of Rapid City, S.D.; and Lia and Jack Purdy, of Blair, Neb.