Verla Strain

Verla Strain, 76, of Twin Brooks, SD, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health in Milbank, SD.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home Chapel in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Monday. Fr. Tom Hartman will officiate the service and inurnment will be at Milbank City Cemetery in Milbank, SD.

The funeral service will be livestreamed, recorded, and viewable below his obituary.

Verla Mae Strain was born on July 19, 1949, in Ortonville, MN, to Harold and Dorothy (Conraads) Dockter. She was raised on the family farm north of Milbank, SD, where she attended Melrose Country School #8 during her early years. In 1956, the family moved into Milbank, and Verla graduated from Milbank High School in 1967.

Following high school, Verla attended Lake Area Technical Institute to study cosmetology. She began her career in 1968 at Looking Glass Beauty Salon in Milbank, working for Eva Mahoney until 1974. In 1976, she fulfilled her dream of owning her own business and opened Verla’s Beauty Salon.

Between 1976 and 1984, she worked a variety of jobs, including waitressing at The Townhouse in Milbank, working at Rethke Tree Nursery west of Milbank, and serving as an aide at Whetstone Valley Nursing Home. In 1984, she returned to cosmetology and worked for Dar (Meyer) Duncan at Headquarters Beauty Salon, where she remained until 1994. She then joined Dakota Inc. in Milbank, beginning in the sewing department before advancing to Shipping Manager. Later, she returned to the profession she loved, serving clients at Park Place. Verla took great pride in helping others look and feel their best and remained dedicated to her work until her retirement in January 2026.

Verla was united in marriage to Arthur “Art” Strain on May 24, 1969, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Together they built a loving home and family. In 1974, they were blessed to adopt their son, Tyler, and later welcomed another son, Aaron.

Verla was never afraid of hard work. In addition to her many professional responsibilities, she worked alongside Art on the farm, helping milk cows for a couple years. Art took the morning shift while Verla faithfully handled the evening milking.

Outside of work, Verla found joy in the outdoors. She enjoyed gardening, yard work, and caring for her home. Above all, she treasured time spent with family. She also had a deep appreciation for history, especially the stories and heritage of her own family, which she loved preserving and sharing.

Verla is survived by her husband, Arthur “Art” Strain of Twin Brooks, SD; son, Aaron Strain of Twin Brooks, SD; granddaughters: Sara Ann Gehl and Morgan Strain; aunt, Shirley Conraads of Milbank, SD; and many beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Dorothy Dockter; her beloved son, Tyler; her mother and father-in-law, Morris and Deslye Strain; her sisters, Donna Hoxtell and Pamela Adelman; and other beloved family members.

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