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Note: Wisconsin State Journal, Sept. 30, 2011 - Verna M. Gasdorf, age 88, of Waunakee, formerly of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, at the Waunakee Manor. She was born on April 1, 1923, in Barneveld, the daughter of John and Gladys (Barsness) Topper. Verna graduated from Barneveld High School. She worked for the University of Wisconsin for 18 years, before retiring in 1983. Verna was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and a former member of the Madison Moose Lodge. She is survived by four children, Terry (Nancy E. Nesson) Gasdorf of Madison, Jill Topper (James 'Jim' A. Wiesner) of Longmont, Colo., Roger Gasdorf of Minneapolis, Minn., and Brian Garrett, of Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; brothers, Russell (Teresa) Topper of Monona, and John (Linda) Topper of Mount Horeb; and sisters, Doris Squire of Racine, and Janis Monson of Dodgeville. Verna was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Marilyn Maly; brother, Wesley Topper; and granddaughter, Sheri Ballweg. Funeral services will be held at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, with Pastor Nancy Hoelter presiding. Burial will be at Sunset Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Waunakee Manor for their care and support for Verna. Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Care 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761 www.gundersonfh.com
Memories from Verna Mae (Topper) Gasdorf
It was an especially cold Christmas day in Barneveld, Wisconsin. I was about five years old. Mom, Dad, Doris, Russ and I bundled up in preparation for the horse-drawn buggy ride that would take us to Grandma and Grandpa Barsness's farm in Black Earth for Christmas dinner. I remember one of the horses was named Maude; the other might have been Nellie. In those days it was quite a distance between Barneveld and Black Earth. There were no paved country roads. We used extra blankets to help fight off the bitter cold. The trip took 4 to 5 hours. We spent Christmas night at Grandma and Grandpa's farmhouse and returned home the next day.
I was the first born and helped with the chores early on. The first time I washed dishes I was about five. I stood on a box and washed them in a big pan full of water. I remember losing my footing while standing on the box and grabbing hold of the pan to steady myself. It wasn't enough to regain my balance. Down I went, still holding on to the pan and water, getting a drenching and fright I'll never forget.
During the Depression money was scarce. On Christmas eve our family would attend church service. Part of the service was a Christmas play put on by the children. At the end we would receive candy. One Christmas was extra special. Aunt Alice (Alice Topper Miller) bought dolls for Doris and me. They were about 12 inches high. One was dressed in blue; the other in pink. My mother made a small wooden bed and a little quilt for the dolls. We played with them every day until Christmas vacation was over. One day Doris and I returned from school to find both dolls in pieces. Our two little brothers, Wes and Russ, had gotten hold of the dolls. Russell always liked to see how things were put together and how they worked. Eventually all was forgiven.
Elementary school years attended Meadow Grove, a one-room school house in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin played house and store; rolled a makeshift hoop with a stick chores were cleaning, making cakes, setting the table and doing dishes in the evenings we listened to the radio; friends and family came over or we went to their homes
High school years member of 4-H; one project was making a dress enjoyed embroidering pillow cases attended Mt. Horeb High School in freshman and sophomore years (lived with an elderly women during the weekdays; returned home on weekends) attended Barneveld High School in junior and senior years, attended class reunions until 80 years old
Work history 1940-41 - the Dunlaps in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin - helped Ethel care for Carla, cooked and cleaned. 1941-42 - housekeeper and cook in Madison, Wisconsin for the woman who was office manager for Ed Phillips & Sons 1942-43 - Ed Phillips & Sons, general officer worker 1943-45 - Madison Kipp Company, time clerk - company was a tool and dye shop 1945-46 - State Farm Mutual Insurance Company, Madison, Wisconsin, general office worker 1953 - Popcorn shop on State Street, part-time 1959 - Doctors' office in Madison, part-time 1961-63 - Doctors' office (Dr. Bond, etc., GPs) in Phoenix, Arizona, office worker 1964-84 - State of Wisconsin, University Hospitals in Madison 1984-85 - Univ. of Wisconsin Bookstore in Madison 1985-01 - Methodist hospital volunteer in Madison 1985-1986 - Equifax, part-time 1987-1988 - Wisconsin Revenue Department in west Madison, seasonal worker
Met Jack Gasdorf when I was 19 or 20 in a State Street bar while having a night out with girlfriends. It was wartime. State Street was full of soldiers and sailors wanting to have fun. So did we.
Friends Some good friends: Barbara (Ast) Sweeney, Alice M. (Pailing) Lauber, Edna (Schroeder) Pitt, Jan Williamson, Lois Husebo SWEENEY, Barbara Jean (AST); 77; Waunakee WI; Capital Times; 2001-9-26; ebnflo
Other played golf for two or three years in the 1950s
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