Verdell A. Mathiesen, age 85, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Belleville Health Care, Belleville, KS.  He was born on July 30, 1930 in Rural Chester, NE to David C. & Frances I. (Lehman) Mathiesen.

Verdell grew up in the rural Chester area and was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, Chester.  Verdell was a lifelong area resident and farmed north of Belleville until 1985 when he moved to town.  He began working at the Republic County Hospital maintenance dept. in 1985 and was a staple at the hospital for the next 25 years until his retirement.  Verdell married Freda Allen on Aug. 10, 1952 and to this union were born four children; Debra, David, Doug & Denise.  Verdell later married Lillian (Schroetlin) Stroh on Jan. 16, 1975 in Belleville.  Verdell was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Chester.

Verdell is survived by his wife, Lillian, Belleville; daughters, Debra (Tom) Skucius, Cuba & Denise Mathiesen, Louisville, CO; sons, David (Brenda Shelton) Mathiesen, Berthoud, CO& Doug Mathiesen, Overland Park; step-sons, David (Lisa) Stroh, Midwest City, OK & Mark (Kathie) Stroh, Belleville; sister, Norma Jean Brunsilius, Belleville; 19 grandchildren & 34 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Geraldine (Mathiesen) Graham, two brothers-in-law, Harold Graham and Therman Brunsilius, and one niece, Rhonda (Brunsilius) Fuller.

It was Verdell's wishes to be cremated and Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm, Thurs., June 30, 2016 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Chester, NE with Pastor Christopher Gerdes officiating.  Burial of the cremains will follow at Belleville Cemetery, Belleville, KS.  Friends may sign the register book Wed., June 29, 2016 from 1-8 pm at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville.  In lieu of flowers, Verdell requested memorials to the Republic Co. Hospital.  Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia is handling arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.