Vernita Irene Branstad, 86, of Hayfield, Minnesota, passed away on June 9, 2016, to be with her heavenly father and all the Saints of Christ.

Vernita was born on Dec. 4, 1929, the daughter of Christian and Emma (Nuss) Patzer in South Dakota. Vernita married Kenneth Andrew Branstad on April 17, 1948, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin, Minnesota. They had five sons. Ken and Vernita were married almost 63 years.

She lead a simple life enjoying spending the summers camping at Graves Lake Resort and Campground in Remer, Minnesota. Vernita enjoyed fishing, playing cards, bowling, Bible Study, hand embroidery of dish towels, and spending time with her family.

Vernita is survived by her sons, Robert, Hayfield, Minnesota; Marvin (Shirley Haden), Blaine, Minnesota; Ronald, Osage, Iowa; Dennis (Cynthia), Owatonna, Minnesota; Arlin (Mona), Elgin, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; sisters, Loretta Nelson, Austin, Minnesota; Veleria (George) Branstad, Remer, Minnesota; Alice Mayer, Charles City, IA, Shirley Olson, Owatonna, Minnesota; and sister-in-law, Mona Patzer, Cass Lake, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; brother, Arlington Patzer, and sister Verna Mills.

The funeral service for Vernita Irene Branstad will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2016,  at Trinity Lutheran Church, 104 First St. SE in Hayfield, Minnesota, with Reverend Paul Hauschild officiating. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery in Austin, Minnesota.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 12, 2016, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 501 Second St. NW in Hayfield, Minnesota.