Verna Lee Story Moritz

Verna L. Gutschow Story Moritz of Cozad passed away peacefully at Meadow Lark Pointe on August 27, 2022 at the age of 89. Verna was born February 3, 1933 to Ruby M. (Stoltnow) and Leslie C. Gutschow in Burton, Nebraska. Verna was primarily raised by her step-father Clifton Rutledge. Verna attended schools in Mills and Lexington, Nebraska.  She would later earn her GED at Cozad with her sister Janice. Verna was married to Bernell Story August 20, 1950, and would make their home in Cozad, Nebraska. To this union Bernell and Verna would have two boys, Jerry Kent and Jay Brent. Verna worked at Cozad Telephone Co., W.J. O’Conner’s, Dixie Inn, before working for Monroe Automotive for 27 years and retiring from there. Verna enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens. She loved to play Bingo, traveling to visit family and friends, especially to Finland several times to visit her son Jerry and family. Verna made the BEST homemade beef and noodles and hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner for her whole family, siblings, nieces and nephews. Verna married Kenneth Moritz, an old school sweetheart on November 05, 1998. She belonged to Church of God of Abrahamic Faith in Holbrook, Nebraska. Verna is survived by her son, Jerry (Raija) Story; stepson, John (Donna) Moritz; stepdaughter, Karen Moritz; sister-in-law, Donna Lehman; step-sisters, Beverly Wempen and Ruby Swartz; step-brother, Robert Rutledge; grandchildren, Patrick and Erika Story, Aisa Carpenter, Summer Gray and Andre' Denker;  step-grandchildren, Faith, David, Sean, Corbin and Amanda Moritz; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father and in-laws; husbands, Bernell and Kenneth; son, Jay Brent; brothers, Clayton and Donald Gutschow; sisters, Virginia Hanson, Jeanette Andre', Janice Strickland, and Donna Smock; brother-in-laws, Edward Hanson, Rex L. Strickland, Ervin Smock and Cecil Wempen; and step-brother, Dwayne Rutledge and his wife Jean.

Memorials are suggested to the Cozad Grand Generation Center. Services will be Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Berryman Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kathy Gundell officiating, casket will be closed. Burial will follow at Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.