Verla M. Shumate, 97, of Sumner, died Sunday, January 20, 2013, at the Hillcrest Home in Sumner. 

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2013, at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg with Rev. Burt Williams officiating. Interment will be at Union Mound Cemetery in Sumner.  Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Wednesday.  

Verla Mary, daughter of Alfred and Myrtle Dawson Mueller, was born August 6, 1915, in Chickasaw County, Iowa. She baptized and confirmed at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, and received her education at Fredericksburg #10 school. On October 21, 1934, she was united in marriage with Fred J. Shumate at Peace Church in Fredericksburg. Verla and Fred farmed for many years in the Sumner area prior to moving into Sumner in 1970. Verla has been a resident of the Hillcrest Home in Sumner since September of 2011. She was a lifelong member of Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, and enjoyed crocheting, her card clubs in Sumner, and playing word and card games.

Verla is survived by one sister, Margaret Quade of Nashua and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, who died December 14, 1998, and three brothers, Donald, Rollis, and Paul Mueller.