Verla Arlene Simmons Gass was born August 4, 1922, in Valentine, NE to Arthur and Stella Simmons joining two brothers Kenneth and Donald. She lived her entire lifetime in Cherry County. Verla attended Prairie View country school eight years and graduated from Valentine High School at the age of 16 with a Normal Training Teaching Certificate. She stayed home with her parents and taught the Prairie View home school three years, then Nenzel, NE, primary grades three years and Valentine 3rd grade two years. Each summer, she attended summer school at the University of NE in Lincoln to up-grade and renew her teaching certificate.

Verla and Robert Gass were united in marriage on May 16, 1946, in the Valentine Presbyterian Church. To this union, three children were born, Gregory, Patricia, and Janet.

As a member of the Presbyterian Church, she taught Sunday School when her three children were young, was an active member of Women's Association and Circle, and Elected to serve as Deacon of the church for two terms. She was a Girl Scout leader for nine years. The Girl Scouts raised money doing yard work, car washes, cleaning houses, babysitting, and bake sales. At the end of their Junior year, Verla and her Girl Scouts joined a bus trip to the World's Fair in Montreal, Canada. She was the Job's Daughters secretary, a 50-year member of Order of the Eastern Star where she was elected Worthy Matron and Treasurer. As a member of Sand Cherry Garden Club, she helped plant many flowers and trees around Valentine.

Verla passed away September 24, 2016, at Linden Court in North Platte, NE. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Robert, grandson Jay Dee Keller, great-grandson Gabriel Gray, great-granddaughter Amelia Allen, and brothers, Kenneth and Donald Simmons.

Survivors include Greg and Tammy Gass of Valentine, Patty and Jack Price of North Platte, and Jan Keller of Ord. Grandchildren: Jennifer (Steve) Allen of Lincoln, Laura (PJ) Book of Lincoln, Julianne (Shawn) Gray of Omaha, Ryan Gass of Omaha, Ariel Gass of Omaha, Bethany Harris of North Platte, Kim (Gregg) Conner of Overland Park, KS, Katy (Ryan) Lautzenhiser of Lee Summit, MO and Great Grandchildren: Rachel, Mitchel, and Laurel Conner; Skylar and Aurora Lautzenhiser; Miles and Rhodes Allen; Axsher Book and Kinsley Gray.

Memorial service for Verla Gass age 94 of Valentine will be held on Saturday, October 29 at 2:00 PM at the Presbyterian Church in Valentine. In lieu of flowers memorials maybe made to the donors choice or to the family for a scholarship fund.