Verna H. (Gebhards) David, 97, of North Platte, passed away July 13, 2018 at Linden Court. She was born to Henry and Carrie (Gruben) Gebhards on August 6, 1920 in Nuckolls County, NE.
She attended Nebraska Public Schools and graduated from Nelson High School, where she earned an Elementary Teaching Certificate and was awarded a four year scholarship, which she used at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She worked for a short time during WWII in the Dept. of Commerce in Washington D.C. before returning to Nebraska to complete a college degree. Following graduation she taught business subjects and home economics at Paxton High School.
In 1948, she and Virgil T. David, a WWII veteran from Paxton, were united in marriage at Salem Lutheran Church in Superior, NE. Following a wedding trip to California, they established a home in North Platte, where they built a home on East Circle Drive. They became active members of the community. Their two sons were born in North Platte.
Verna enjoyed short-term teaching when needed in the typing and bookkeeping classes in North Platte Senior High School until her sons finished Junior High. She then accepted a position to teach eight grade English at Adams Junior High. During the 19 years she taught at Adams, she took numerous relevant college courses.
As a child, she was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Superior. In North Platte, she became an active member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church. There she was active in the children’s Sunday School many years, held offices in the Women’s Organizations, and served on the Church Council and Leadership committees. She was also an active leader in grade school National PTA, a member of National and Nebraska English Teachers, local teachers organizations, and DELTA KAPPA GAMMA International Teachers Honorary.
Verna devoted many hours to maintaining a family home and supporting activities of her family. She looked forward to opportunities to travel and felt fortunate to be able to tour Europe and China.
She is survived by her sons, Mark B. David of Lincoln, NE and Paul T. David, MD and his children Philip and Caroline of Santa Barbara, CA; and two sisters, Annetta Oden of North Platte and Carrie Pasewark of Dunkirk, MD.
She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty one years; her parents; a sister, Adessa Dunn; a brother, Chester Gebhards; and an infant brother.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. A memorial has been established in her memory. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. Steve Berke officiating. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in care of arrangements.