Verna Lee (Freeman) Kalina passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital at the earthly age of 93 years. She will be deeply missed by her family and all those who knew her.

Verna was born to Glenn and Gladys (Shields) Freeman on December 30, 1930 in Fairview, Kansas. She attended rural grade school 1-4th grades at Fairview, KS, 5th grade at Fairview Public, 6-10th grades at Wetmore, KS and her junior and senior years at Table High School where she graduated. She was united in marriage to Arnold E. Kalina on August 3, 1955. They lived on a farm northeast of Table Rock until 2000 when they moved into Pawnee City. She was baptized at the Christian Church in Table Rock on July 6, 1974. Upon her father Glenn's passing, Gladys married Lester Harris.

Verna had various employment over the years including, Nurse's Aide at the Pawnee County Hospital, taught rural School District # 18 near Steinauer, telephone office in Beatrice, sewing factory in Pawnee City and Auburn, Campbell's Soup Company in Tecumseh for 13 years, Kirkman's LakeView Golf Club for 5 years, 8 years at the Pawnee Manor and 6 years as Gate Attendant for Army Corp of Engineers at the Lake Hasty Campground in Hasty, CO and the Animal Clinic in Pawnee City. She served as a Girl Scout leader for her daughters Karla and Kristi while they were Brownies, Junior and Cadets, was a 69 year member of Table Rock Legion Auxiliary Post, which she joined in 1955. She was an active member of Table Rock Church of Christ where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Ladies Aid. She transferred her membership to the Pawnee Christian Disciples of Christ Church on Nov. 2, 2008. Verna was also a member of the Table Rock Rescue Squad. She loved gardening, canning, playing cards, taking meals to the field and making quilts, which all her great-grandson received. She especially enjoyed attending all of her grandkids and later her great-grandkids activities, which up until a month ago, was still driving herself to.

Verna was preceded in death by her husband Arnold, son Randy, her parents Glenn and Gladys, step-father Lester Harris and siblings, Glenn “Junior” Freeman, Mary Parks-Dovel, Shirley Crisler, Phyllis Freeman and Robert Freeman.

She is survived by her daughters Karla Taylor and husband Duane of Table Rock and Kristi Hartman and husband Robert of Venus, TX, grandchildren Melissa Werner and husband Nathan of Tecumseh, Mark Hartman and wife Sierra of Weatherford, TX, Jennifer Kunzman and husband Joe of Tecumseh, Craig Hartman of Arlington, TX, and Ashley Peters and husband Josh of Elk Creek, five great-grandchildren Cameron and Elliott Werner, Brayden Taylor, Mason Hartman and Kolby Kunzman, sisters Bessie Gilmore of Kiron, IA and Ruthie Day of Fort Worth, TX, step-brother Gary Harris of Table Rock and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services 2:30 p.m., Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the Christian Church/Presbyterian Church, Pawnee City, Nebraska with Pastor Howard Blecha officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday April 17, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m., at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska. Interment will be in the Table Rock Cemetery, Table Rock, Nebraska. Memorials to family choice. Online condolence may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com. Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.