Service Information
Verda Templin, age 98, of Glencoe, Minnesota, passed away Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care in Glencoe, Minnesota.
Funeral Service will be held Friday, August 4, 2017, 11:00 A.M. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota, with interment following at the Glencoe City Cemetery in Glencoe, Minnesota.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 4, 2017, from 9:00-11:00 A.M., two hours prior the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Lutheran World Relief, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.
Obituary
Verda Emma Lydia Elizabeth (Graupmann) Templin , age 98, of Glencoe, Minnesota, died on August 1, 2017 at Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care. Funeral services were held on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe with Pastor Nowak officiating. Internment was at the Glencoe City Cemetery. Casket Bearers: Paul Graupmann, Greg Zeimer, Cheryl Holum, Nevaeh Herby, Jerry Schimelpfenig, and Kurt Schulz
Verda Emma Lydia Elizabeth (Graupman) Templin was born on May 14, 1919 in Glencoe, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Herman and Emma (Behlers) Graupmann. Verda was baptized on June 1, 1919, and later confirmed in her faith in 1933, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe. She received her education at District 6 Country School house near Biscay thru the 8th grade. In 2015 at the age of 96, at the site of her country school house, she received an honorary High School Diploma from Glencoe-Silver Lake High School.
On November 30, 1940, Verda was united in marriage to Heinrich “Henry” Friedrich Templin Jr. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. After renting two farms, Verda and Henry were able to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning their own farm by purchasing his grandfather’s homestead. For 29 years they produced Grade A quality milk with their widely respected herd of registered Holsteins.
Verda and Henry shared over 62 years of marriage, until Henry passed away on December 22, 2002. They had wonderful celebrations of their marriage at their 25th, 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries at their church. The girls often heard their father say, “The best thing I ever did was marry Verda”
Verda knew full well that women were equal to men and proved it in the way she led her life. She spoke often of the struggles and hardships of people in this country and others that she saw firsthand beginning with her childhood in the 1930s, when her family would feed indigent people who were riding the rails. She lived her life following one of Jesus’ commandments “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself’. She was a founding member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, served as a Missionary Society President, as a 4-H Leader and was active in the Farmer’s Union. She always believed farmers had a strong role in being able to feed people here and around the world.
Verda highly valued education and the arts and was proud that all four daughters attended graduate school. Beverly and Jennifer are retired teachers, Deborah Jean is a professional actor and part-time faculty and Elizabeth is an Extension Professor. Thanks to McLeod County Extension the Templin family hosted people from around the world at their Century Farm and at their house in Glencoe, always making sure to respect their religion and culture.
Following their eldest daughter Beverly being an AFS student in 1958, Henry and Verda expanded their travels internationally. In 1964 they traveled to Kenya to visit Beverly who was teaching in a British System African Boys High School. On that trip Verda fulfilled a lifelong goal of walking where Jesus walked in the Holy Land. In 1977 and 1984 they attended International Farm Youth Conferences in New Zealand and the Philippines. Following the conferences they continued their travels to Australia, Asia and Europe.
Verda believed that prayer changes things. In 1924, as a child she witnessed the power of prayer when her baby brother was on death’s door and survived. He grew up to be a man who respected her ideas. When asked how she wanted to be remembered Verda said: “Please say the following about me, that I am a Christian and that I am going to a better land when I go, and that I would want everyone else to have that same hope.”
Verda is survived by her daughters, Beverly Templin of Glencoe, Jennifer Templin and her husband, Francis Fahy, of San Francisco, CA, Deborah Jean Templin of Manhattan, NY, Elizabeth Templin and her husband, Mike Robertson, of Stillwater, MN; Step Grandchildren, Francis Fahy Jr. & Margaret Fahy Pinkham; Step Great Grandchild, Joseph Madrigali.
Verda is preceded in death by her Parents, Herman and Emma Graupmann; Husband, Heinrich “Henry” Templin; Brothers, Harold, Achim & Hillard Graupmann; Sisters, Marie Mielke, Gertrude Jungclaus, Carmen Holum, and Eldora King.
Mary Jane Houdina says
Dearest Debra Jean and family, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Debra has told me so many stories of Verda, I felt as if I knew her. It’s always difficult to know what to say when someone looses your mother, because the loss is so great. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Mary Jane
Tricia Ellis says
I am so sorry to learn of Verda’s passing. I’ve read amazing stories about Verda when researching District #6 as I have family who also attended this school house. I’m so happy Verda was able to receive her honorary high school diploma two years ago, that is so sweet and special. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.
https://mcleodhistory.pastperfectonline.com/archive/260DDE41-7A00-40C3-A030-952101155241
http://www.mcleodhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2015-July-Newsletter.pdf
Love,
Tricia Ellis (daughter of Emil and Bernice Ellis, niece to Edwin Ellis)