Verneal O'Brien
March 25, 1937 ~ October 2, 2021
Verneal O'Brien, 84, of Highmore, passed away Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Highmore Healthcare Center.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 9, 2021, at United Methodist Church in Highmore, Roger Day, officiating. Burial to follow at the Highmore Cemetery. A visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 8, 2021, with a prayer service to follow at the Luze Funeral Home, Highmore.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Steps for Hope, PO Box 541, Highmore, SD 57345.
Verneal was born March 25, 1937, to Rolland and Anne (Morrow) Patterson at her home in the very southeast corner of Hyde County. She was the first of twins with her sister, Velda, following minutes after. Due to a blizzard, as South Dakota usually has that time of year, there was no telephone working, she and her sister were delivered by their own father.
Verneal attended country school through 8th grade and went on to graduate from Highmore High School in 1957. She kept busy with after school jobs, being a nanny for a baby until toddler age as well as an usher at the local movie theater. This is where she was picked up for the first date with the love of her life, Terry O’Brien. This was the beginning of a blessed 62 years of marriage. She and Terry were married on September 7, 1959.
Verneal had a job with the state auditor for two years after she graduated high school. She worked for the same college Terry was attending at the time. Then in 1961, they moved to Downey, California in L.A. County where they resided for the next 30 years. She helped her neighbor clean houses around the area. While Terry was working long hours on the manned space program, Verneal took up bowling as a hobby. She enjoyed bowling very much and made many lifelong friends along the way.
After Terry retired, they moved back to South Dakota to be close to family and friends, but they are unfortunately, now, becoming fewer.
Verneal is survived by her husband, Terry O’Brien; sister, Velda Pitlick; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and brothers: Milton Patterson and Lyle Patterson.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Verneal's arrangements.
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Sorry for your loss Terry. It was fun seeing you two in Highmore and being reminded that Verneal's family was our neighbor. Thinking of you.
Terry, my sympathies go out to you in this time of sorrow. Verneal was always gracious and friendly whenever I visited, from the time I stopped by in California to the many visits in Highmore. She will be missed.
My heart and prayers go out to you Terry and the family. Verneal was such a special lady. She was such a great partner in your life. She was so proud of your life you shared and the work you did with the Space Program. She always had that California sunshine smile and can do attitude. She was such a great friend to my Mother and lightened her life. She will be greatly miss but her memories she gave us will live on for ever.
I am so sorry about your wife. Your in my thoughts and prayers. Phyllis