AUSTIN -- The funeral for Verdie Mae Carlson will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Mona Lutheran Church in Mona, Iowa, with the Rev. Russell Wangen officiating. Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Mona.

Mrs. Carlson, 96, a longtime resident of the Lyle area, died Monday (Aug. 21, 2006) at St. Mark's Lutheran Home in Austin.

Verdie Mae Klusmeier was born May 16, 1910, in Latimer, Iowa. She graduated from Otranto (Iowa) High School in 1929. She served as postmaster in Otranto. On Oct. 8, 1930, she married Raymond Carlson. They farmed two miles south of Lyle for 37 years before retiring and moving into Lyle in 1967. They were among the first members of the Lyle senior citizens organization, and she served as the group's secretary and chairwoman for several years. She was a member of the Lyle Study Club, and for 15 years was a 4-H leader in Otranto Township, Mitchell County, Iowa. A member of Mona Lutheran Church, she taught Sunday school and Bible school for 18 years, was active in choir and circle and was president of the ladies aid for 32 years.

There are no immediate survivors. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and four sisters.

Friends may call an hour before the service at the church.

Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is in charge of arrangements.