Buell, Verna Lusk

Verna Lusk Buell, a retired United Methodist clergy member of the Nebraska Conference, was born June 30, 1923 in Douglas , Arizona to the late Harry W. and Janet Sine Lusk and passed away December 9, 2008 . She was the beloved mother of Thomas Buell and wife Dawnell, Duncan A. Buell and wife Mary Ann and Connie B. Hinton. She is survived by three grandchildren: Holly A. and Scott C. Hinton, Kasey Buell; three step-grandchildren: Elise Argueta, Tammy Stiebing, Tiffany Wall and her sister, Jean Lusk.

Verna graduated from the University of Arizona in 1944 with a Bachelor of Arts in music education. She worked at the Chautauqua Institution in New York , studied at the Julliard School of Music, appeared in early live television shows, and worked at Papermill Playhouse, performing in numerous musicals. She was a well-known church soloist at Christ Church , Cranbrook and St. John's Episcopal Church in the Detroit area. She formed the first choir at Christ Episcopal Church in Covington , Louisiana and acted as choir director. Verna also served as a Girl Scout leader and was active in the Mandeville High School PTA.

In 1979 Verna graduated from Iliff School of Theology with a Master's of Divinity, pastoring the following churches in Nebraska : Hemingford, Palmer, Wolbach and St. Paul in Beaver City . Following her retirement Verna pastored the Lee's Landing United Methodist Church near Ponchatoula, Louisiana from 1992-1997.

Carl E. Rhoads