Verna Samb

Verna M. Samb, 98, of Waukon died Monday, March 15, 2021 at her home. Funeral services were held Friday, March 19 at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating and burial in the church cemetery in rural Waterville.

Verna Marcella Samb was born March 6, 1923 on the rural Waterville farm of her parents, Carl and Thorine (Anderson) Christianson. She was baptized and confirmed at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville. Verna attended Dalby country school in Center Township, graduated from Waterville High School in 1940 and attended Waterloo School of Beauty in Waterloo along with her sister, Lillian. They moved back to Waukon and worked for Carl Halverson’s Mariposa Beauty and Barber Shop at the corner of Spring Avenue and East Main Street.

October 6, 1973, she married Victor Samb in Winona, MN, and they lived in La Crosse, WI and owned and operated two ready-to-wear clothing stores: The Queen Shop, specializing in large sizes, and a store for children. Verna and Victor retired in 1989 and enjoyed traveling. In 1998, Victor passed away; Verna moved back to Waukon in 2000 to be closer to family and friends.

Verna was a member of Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, where she was active in Naomi Circle. She enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and friends, cooking, baking, gardening and talking about current events.

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Helen Christianson of Waukon; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Victor; two brothers, Charles and Edwin Christianson; and three sisters, Lillian and Thelma Christianson, and Ellen Marti.

Honorary casketbearers were Steve and Marie Christianson, Julie Herman, Kirsten Burrett, Avery Christianson and Kenzie Gavle. Casketbearers were Dennis Herman, Carl Christianson, Rick Libke, Ross Christianson and David Burrett.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.