Verna Ione Seely of Sioux Falls passed away on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls. She was 97 years old.
Verna Ione Eastman was born on Nov. 18, 1928, in Sioux Falls to Chester and Eliza (Brooks) Eastman. She attended rural country school and graduated from Harrisburg High School in 1946. After graduation, she attended Nettleton for one year of college and received her associate’s degree. She worked at Empire Road Equipment for three years.
On Aug. 7, 1948, Verna married Marvin E. Seely in Luverne, Minnesota. Together, they were blessed with two sons and three daughters. Verna then devoted herself to caring for and raising her family.
Verna was a member of First Congregational Church in Sioux Falls, where she served with the Altar Guild and the Prime Timers.
In her spare time, Verna enjoyed embroidering, Swedish weaving and reading. She was known for her delicious banana bread, which she lovingly baked for family and friends. She especially enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sports activities and music events. Above all, she treasured every moment spent with them.
Those who cherish her memory include her children, Timothy Seely of Smithfield, Virginia, Roberta (Barry) Jacobson of Sioux Falls and Tanya (Brad) Carlson of Tea; her seven grandchildren, Jason (Melody) Seely, Angelia (Bill) Batten, Dustin Carlson, Ashton (Colten) Parker, Derek (Miriam) Carlson, Benjamin (Audrey) Merry and Alexandra Merry; and her 12 great-grandchildren: Austin and Asher Seely, Katelynn Batten, Russell Carlson, Ellis Merry, Tristan, Camden, Gavin, Vivian “Vivi” Parker, Sophia, Freya, Lilia Carlson and Jay Conaway. Verna is also survived by her son-in-law, Wade Merry of Sioux Falls, and special family friends: Cherry Wintersteen Ferrie, Betty Wintersteen Twiss and Tom Wintersteen.
Verna was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Marvin; her son, Kevin Seely; her daughter, Valerie Merry; her parents, Chester and Eliza Eastman; and her daughter-in-law, Ilene Seely.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Verna’s name to a place of your choice, or to the Valerie Raye Merry Endowment for Precision Oncology at the Avera Foundation: https://www.averafoundationevents.org/donate-with-search
A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home, located at 507 S. Main Avenue in Sioux Falls. A visitation with family present will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, also at Miller Funeral Home – downtown. Verna will be laid to rest next to her late husband, Marvin, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls.
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