Stucker,Verle E (1921-2016)

STUCKER, KELLY, SCHMID

Posted By: Colleen J Ossman (email)
Date: 6/11/2016 at 16:10:57

June 6, 2016
The Daily Freeman Journal

Verle Eugene Stucker, 95, Iowa Falls, died June 3, 2016 at the Scenic Living Community, Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 10, 2016 at the St. Mark's Catholic Church, 415 Main St., Iowa Falls. Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Mark's Catholic Church.

Linns Funeral Home

Verle Eugene Stucker, 95, of Iowa Falls, Iowa passed away June 3, 2016 at the Scenic Living Community, Scenic Manor Nursing Home in Iowa Falls. Memorial services for Verle Stucker will be 10:30 am, Friday, June 10, 2016 at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 415 Main St., Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126. There will be a time of visitation one hour prior at 9:30 am also at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church. To leave online condolences and for further information, please visit linnsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorial either be directed to Verle and Marie Stucker Endowed Scholarship; c/o Ellsworth College Foundation; 1100 College; Iowa Falls, IA 50126; or to the hospice of your choice.

Verle Eugene Stucker was born on May 1, 1921 in Cumro, Nebraska. He attended school in Ansley, Nebraska where he and his family resided during his youth. He graduated from Ansley High School in 1941.

He started his college education at Kearney State in Kearney, Nebraska in 1941. He was in athletics at Kearney State and was a member of the undefeated and untied football team of 1941.

World War II soon interrupted his college career. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942. Verle later transferred to the U.S. Navy. He was commissioned with the rank of Ensign in 1944. His first assignment was aboard the U.S.S. Okanogan, and as a member the ship’s original crew, he earned the title of Plank Owner. Verle saw combat service in the Philippine Islands, Saipan, and Guam. He and his shipmates participated in the first wave of landings for the battle on Okinawa. Verle was always very proud of his ship and his military service to the United States of America. He retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves after 28 years with the rank of Commander.

Verle met Marie Kelly in Chicago while he was stationed there training at Navy Midshipman’s school. They were married in Waterloo, Iowa on July 27, 1946. Together they moved to Kearney, Nebraska where he would return to college.

After graduating from college, Verle would work as a classroom teacher, principal, and coach at schools in Bennington, Nebraska. Their son Mike was born in 1950.

The family moved to Riverton, Iowa in 1955, where Verle was to become the Superintendent of schools and also coached sports. During his working years in Bennington and Riverton, he earned a Masters Degree from Omaha University and did doctoral degree work at the University of Wyoming.

In 1957, he accepted the position of Dean at Ellsworth Junior College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. He was very proud of his tenure as Dean of Ellsworth. During those years the enrollment went from 142 students to over 1100 full time students. Much of this increase was from a hands-on approach of student recruitment and the development of new programs. He helped to develop new vocational and technical programs to enrich the career opportunities of the students. Several athletic programs were expanded during this time and the Ellsworth football program was created. Ellsworth became a community college and was the first community college in the state of Iowa to be accredited by the North Central Association. He helped start the fund drive for the development of the New Main building on the Ellsworth campus.

Other career accomplishments include: president of the Iowa Junior College Association, president of the Iowa Falls Rotary Club, consultant to the Kellogg Foundation on Community Colleges, member of the Iowa Falls Park Board, member of the Ellsworth Foundation Board, and the Judge Advocate General of the U.S.S. Okanogan Organization.

His survivors include: son Mike and wife Nikki of Casper, Wyoming; three granddaughters; two great-grand sons; and his sister Peggy Schmid of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He deeply loved his family and treasured his experiences with all the great friends and co-workers of his long life.