Verna Kirchhoff

Verna Kirchhoff was the sixth child born to Rasmus and Helen (Jorgensen) Biltoft. She was born February 24, 1927 at a farm north of Ruskin, Nebraska. Her childhood schooling was at #64 Starr Schools and District 53, both in Nuckolls County Nebraska. Verna entered into rest on Friday, March 6, 2026 at the Parkview Haven Nursing Home in Deshler, Nebraska.
In 1939 her mother, brother Ernest and Verna moved to Lincoln where he attended the University of Nebraska and Verna attended Whitter Junior High, grades 7, 8, and 9th. It was during this time that students were all called to an assembly and told that Pearl Harbor had been bombed and that the United States was at war. It was a frightening time.
Soon after this many men were called to serve their country. Air bases were built in Nebraska for housing and equipment. The ammunition depot at Hastings was used to make bombs and store them in cement buildings with grass planted over them so that they could not be detected from the air. Each family was issued ration stamps to be able to buy supplies like gas, tires, coffee, sugar and other items needed.
In 1941 Verna and her mother moved to Superior, Nebraska. During this time Verna became a baptized member of the United Methodist Church. She graduated from Superior High School in 1945. After school she was employed at Farmers State Bank in Superior as a cashier and a posting accountant.
Verna was married to Lawrence "Tony" Kirchhoff on December 14, 1947. They moved to the farm east of Hardy in March of 1948. Since R.E.A. (rural electricity) hadn't reached this area, Verna had to learn to cook on a 3-burner kerosene stove, learned to milk a cow, and drive a car, 3 major skills! She liked to stay busy so she had a garden, raised baby chicks and enjoyed living on the farm.
Verna became a member of the American Lutheran Church at St Peter's Church, rural Byron. After the birth of their three children, Rex, Sonia and Craig, their school education was as important as their Christian education. She was a constant source of guidance and support throughout their growing years as well as a model of strength and resilience.
Verna enjoyed the challenge of keeping a perfect set of books for the farms as well as other groups she was involved in. She also valued family and was always available to care for her mother and other family members going through tough health issues.
Eventually Tony and Verna turned the farm's focus toward being hybrid seed corn producers. Part of the focus required hiring 12-16 year olds to detassel corn. It was easy to get acquainted with the kids in the early years because Verna met them at 9am with a pan of warm cake. Eventually, the business grew and more kids were needed so the farm bought a bus to provide transportation, and kids brought their own lunches. The best days though were when the work was completed and they got their paychecks!
The next task for the operation was harvesting, sorting, drying and shelling the seed corn. It was a long tough process which required hiring a lot of people to get it done. It was hard work but the group enjoyed being together and many friends were made.
Verna and Tony moved to Superior in 1982. Verna kept busy with volunteer work in the community and Salem Church. When they had time they enjoyed traveling in their motorhome across the United States, Canada, Mexico and even up to Alaska. Verna and Tony especially enjoyed their children and grandchildren. Highlights of their lives were vacations spent with the family all together.
Preceded in death by her parents, husband Tony, son-in-law Timothy Schmidt, brothers and wives Maurice and Evaline, Oscar "Pete" and Wanda, Homer and Helen, Ernest and Hazel, an infant brother, niece Gelda, special aunt and uncle Fern and Alfred "Jerg" Jorgensen; brother-in laws and wives Art and Lily Kirchhoff, Martin "Spark" and Lola Kirchhoff, Edgar and Esther and Alice Kirchhoff; sister-in-law Betty and husband Orville Bokenkamp.
Reaching the age of 99 on February 24th Verna was the last living Aunt or Uncle on both side of the family.
Survivors include her children: Rex (Linda), Sonia, of Superior; Craig (Nancy) Clarksburg, CA; Grandchildren, Matthew(Cindy), Mike(Sarah) all of Hardy, Monte(Emily) Superior, Clayton(Gabriel) Napa, CA, Casey(Lisa), Emma Kirchhoff, Clarksburg, CA, Anthony Schmidt, Lincoln, Wade(Emily) Schmidt, Matthews, NC, Abby Schmidt Tucson, AZ; Great Grandchildren, Blake(Tara)Kirchhoff, Hardy, Nicki(Chase) Fisher, St John's, KS, Laci Kirchhoff, Hardy, Dereck Kirchhoff, Lawrence, KS, Jonah, Lyla, and Lincoln Schmidt, Matthews, NC, Ava, Korbin and Krosby Kirchhoff, Hardy Oliver and Atlas Kirchhoff, Napa, CA, Wyatt and Willow Kirchhoff, Clarksburg, CA; Great, Great Granddaughter, Karter Kirchhoff, Hardy; and a host of friends.
A Visitation will be held at the Williams & Kuehn Funeral Home-Superior on Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 2PM until 7PM with Family Receiving Friends from 5PM until 7PM. Funeral Service will be Friday, March 13, starting at 11AM at the Salem Lutheran Church in Nuckolls County. In lieu of flowers, Memorials are designated to Superior Auditorium Community Center, Salem Lutheran Church, or the Broadstone Memorial Hospital and may be sent in care to Williams & Kuehn Funeral Homes, 241 West 4th Ave., Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970.