UVALDE, TX - Our beloved mother, Verlyn Deloris Wakefield of Uvalde, TX and formerly of Sturgis, SD, went to be with her Lord and Saviour on October 31, 2013. She passed away peacefully in the home of Richard and Deloris Helsel at the age of 97. Verlyn was born in Wasta, SD to Hal and Helen Wheaton on December 28, 1915. She graduated from Sturgis High School and then apprenticed under her aunt to become a cosmetologist. She also attended Green's Beauty School in 1937. On February 1, 1939 Verlyn married Leo Guy Wakefield. The same year she started her own beauty business in downtown Sturgis. In 1948 she moved her shop to her home where she continued in the hair dressing business for over sixty years. Besides gardening, reading, horseback riding, cooking and baking Verlyn thoroughly enjoyed extending hospitality to friends and family. She especially enjoyed giving her time, talent and finances to numerous mission projects all her life. Verlyn was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, with whom she shared 64 years of marriage (just one month short of 65 years of marriage); her parents; her brother; her sister; a daughter; a granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter. She is survived by her six children, Leo (Sally) Wakefield of Harvey, ND, Deloris (Richard) Helsel of Uvalde, TX, Catherine (Arvid) Dodd of Bixby, OK, Paul (Debbie) Wakefield of Anchorage, AK, Barbara (Dexter) Holmes of Marysville, WA, and Dr. David (Judy) Wakefield of Broken Arrow, OK as well as 19 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Thursday, November 7, 2013 at Black Hills Funeral Home in Sturgis, SD. Services for Verlyn Wakefield will take place at the Sturgis Wesleyan Church, Friday, November 8, 2013 at 11:00 am, with her son, David Wakefield officiating. Burial will follow at the Black Hills National Cemetery at 12:30 pm. Remembrances may be made to Dr. Peter and Brenda Burgos (granddaughter) who serve in China as medical workers to seven orphanages, several nursing homes, countryside clinics, and a city clinic and residency program, by mailing them to 11701 South 101 East Avenue, Bixby, OK 74008. Verlyn's family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to Bob Christofferson, Jorge and Shirley Johnson, Marty and Lisa Symonds and Verlyn's neighbors who watched over and cared for her in our absence.