Verna N. Craig Grandstaff, 76, of Gothenburg died April 9, 1998, at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital.

She was born April 11, 1921, at Gothenburg to Gunner and Hattie Larson Young. She graduated from Brady High School and attended Kearney Teachers College.

On Jan. 13, 1940, she married Dale Craig at Stockville. They farmed in the Brady and Farnam areas until 1952, when they moved to Brady and later to Jeffrey Lake. He preceded her in death on July 18, 1974.

She was a school teacher, a caretaker at Jeffrey Lodge at Jeffrey Lake, a cook at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital and she owned a dress shop in Valentine.

On Oct. 12, 1976, she married Floyd Grandstaff at Ainsworth. He preceded her in death on Nov. 21, 1980.

Mrs. Grandstaff was a member of the Gothenburg Catholic Church, Gothenburg Area Retired Teachers Association, Gothenburg Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary and a longtime member of the Gothenburg Housing Authority Board. She was also a charter member of the Birthday Club, which includes Vonnie Derra, Yolanda Martin, Evelyn Elsasser, Jane Herrin, Ruth Rayburn, LaVerne Oman, Jean Clymer, Anita Stull and Marge Golter, who will serve as honorary bearers.

She was a loving mother and grandmother.

Surviving her are two daughters, RoJean (Dan) Stiffler of Parker, Colo., and Colleen (Mike) May of Brady; a son, Dennis (Joyce) Craig of Northglenn, Colo.; a sister, Violet Nevin of Fort Morgan, Colo.; a brother, Vernon (Norma) Young of North Platte; seven grandchildren, Jeff (Joan) Craig of Elsie, Jacque (Ken) Duggen of Fort Morgan, Dana (Christian Mercer) Stiffler of Cambridge, Mass., Dee Stiffler of Chicago, Cody May of Kearney and Crystal and Colton May of Brady; three stepgrandchildren, Larry Osborn of Englewood, Colo., Terry (Nancy) Osborn of Sidney and Jeff (Sandy) Osborn of Northglenn; four great-grandchildren; and six stepgreat- grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Viola Schroder; and a grandson, Jerry Craig.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Gothenburg, with the Rev. Donald O’Brien as celebrant. Private burial of the cremains will be in the Gaslin Cemetery south of Brady prior to services.

Source: The North Platte Telegraph April 10, 1998