Verla P. Lobdell, 86, of Lena, passed away at her home on January 4, 2021 after an extended illness.  She is survived by her beloved husband of 67 years, Mervin "Johnny" Lobdell.  She was born in rural Pearl City on May 1, 1934 to William and Luella (Edler) Liebergesell.  Some of her earliest memories were helping her father on their farm, riding her horses, and playing with her dogs.  Verla graduated from Lena High School in 1952 and she and Johnny were married in March of 1953.

Verla had many talents, but she was most passionate about her family, her faith, and the Lobdell family farm.  She loved hosting large family get-togethers, hiking with her grandchildren, reading and singing to them, and finding all sorts of interesting projects for them to do with her.  She loved her garden and yard and always worked very hard to make everything at the farm and later at their house look nice.  She was a life-long member of the Lena United Methodist Church where her greatest love was teaching Sunday School and Bible School.  She was a natural teacher and taught Sunday School for over 50 years.  Verla was always singing and for several years she was the Children's Choir Director at church and a member of United Methodist Women.  She enjoyed making pies and loved to help with the annual bazaar and roast beef supper.  In her early career, she was a secretary at Freeport Junior High School for one year working with Mr. Byron Cully, whom she always admired as an excellent educator.  The rest of her life she was a dedicated dairy farmer with her husband and family.  She loved her cows and calves and lived the motto "If you take care of your cows, they will take care of you."  She worked very hard as was so very particular about everything to do with the dairy operation, in turn passing on those lessons to her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Mervin "Johnny" Lobdell, her four children, thirteen grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren; Murry and Julie Lobdell and their family; Andrew, Amy, Aubrey, Avery, and Adrienne Lobell; Joe Lobdell; Tom Heidi Levi and Rylee Lobdell; and Cody, Lana Adelyn, and Camden Haas.  Kayla Lobdell and her family; Wes, Jenn, Louis, and Bobby Morovic; Matt Morovic and his children; Izaiah, Marley, and Emerson; Aaron, Kelsey, and Reid McFarlane; and Haley Pentecost.  Jay and Karlyn Kempel and their family; Jared and his fiancé Sara, Jason, and Justin Kempel. Kelly and Janet Lobdell and their family; Kade and Kendall Lobdell.  Nephew Chris Liebergesell of Camden, TN and son Colt and great niece Kaitlyn Liebergesell.  Her family will miss her very much.  Verla was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Harold Liebergesell, a niece Lara Liebergesell, and her special cousin Vietta Scheider.

Verla had wonderful caretakers that our family appreciated so much.  Heather S., Lisa, Heather C., and Sue enabled Verla to stay in her home.  They all brought her so much joy by singing with her, listening to her stories, reading to her, taking her for walks, fixing her hair, and painting her nails, all if which she loved.

The family would like to express our sincere thanks to the members of FHN Hospice for their excellent, loving care they gave to Verla.

A private family service will be held at the Lena United Methodist Church with a celebration of life later this year.  Cremation rites have been accorded and burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery.  A memorial has been established in her memory for the Lena United Methodist Sunday School Program.