Verna Louise Blaha was born on March 20th, 1922 in St. Louis, Missouri, the only child to Gustav and Freda (Schwend) Mecklenburg. Raised in Henderson, Minnesota, Verna graduated Valedictorian from Henderson High school and attended Mankato State College. She played the Alto Saxophone in the Henderson Community Band where she met her future husband, Christian Joseph Blaha, who played the Tenor Saxophone. Married on June 29, 1939, Verna was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Blessed with 7 children, Barbara Jean, Mary Jane, Elizabeth Ann, Janet Lee, Veronica Lou, Kenneth David and Christine Mae, as well as 26 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, Verna leaves behind a legacy of faith, hard work, and love that will long outlive her in the years to come.
Throughout their married life, Verna and Chris embarked on several career changes including both working on the factory line at the Minnesota Valley Canning Company, better known to many as the beloved icon, Jolly Green Giant. For many years, Verna and Chris worked the family farm in Henderson, with Verna becoming a Stanley Dealer and working for 60 years as an enthusiastic branch manager for Stanley Home Products. She started in sales and was quickly promoted to a branch manager position. This promotion meant a move for the Blaha family in 1958 to Hopkins, Minnesota where they continued to live for the next 42 years. All seven children, and many of Verna’s grandchildren, still recall vivid memories attending Stanley parties in addition to packing Stanley orders in the office of the family home in Hopkins. Verna demonstrated to her children such confidence and courage to stand before hundreds of women teaching them how to clean their own homes using the Stanley products. A successful working woman with grace, tenacity and incredible energy.
In 2000, at the age of 76, Verna sold the family home in Hopkins and moved with her daughter, Christine, and family to Annandale, Minnesota. Finally, eight years later, she moved one last time, with the family, to Clearbrook, Minnesota where she lived the remaining years of her life. In the 16 years between Annandale and Clearbrook, Verna had the opportunity to enjoy her love for gardening even more by spending countless happy hours with her flowers and plants all summer long. Possessed with a tender heart for animals, Verna was an avid reader, appreciated and enjoyed every moment she was with family and never refused a treat of ice cream, cookies or cake. There was always room for something sweet.
Verna was the kindest, most loving, conscientious woman, ever active with her family. We her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, pray that we can carry on each day as this remarkable woman did, looking forward with a strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and making every day brighter and more blessed for every life we touch just as mom taught us through the legacy of her faith, hard work and love.
She passed away peacefully in the traditional Catholic faith on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 surrounded with loving family, blessed with grace.
She is preceded in death by her Husband, Christian J. Blaha; Parents, Gustav and Freda Mecklenburg; and Grandson, Cody J. Mack. Survived by her children: Barbara (Don) Rebertus, Mary Laux, Elizabeth (Walt) Baird, Janet (John) Krawczak, Veronica (David) Decker, Kenneth Blaha, and Christine (Andrew) Mack; and many grandchildren.

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