Verna "Tootie" Jeannette Denett, 76, died August 2, 2012, at her home in Summerset, South Dakota, surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will take place from 8 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday, August 9, 2012, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery with Rev. Howard Baird officiating.

Verna was born on May 15, 1936, to Frank A. and Lucin M. Lewis, in Miller, South Dakota, joining her brother and sister, Kenneth and Mary. Verna's father died in an accident when she was only 3 months of age. Her mother, Lucin, was an RN and went to work at the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, South Dakota, where Verna spent the majority of her growing-up years and graduated from Hot Springs High School. She married Walter Denett on March 11, 1956, having met him in Rapid City while he was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. They went on to enjoy 56 years of marriage.

Verna worked for credit unions from 1965 until she retired as President of Sentinel Federal Credit Union in 1999. She was very, very kind and civic-minded, and she was involved in various civic, charity, religious, and professional organizations over the years. But, she was at her happiest when surrounded by her kids, family, and friends. She had a great love of God, music, children, and animals--especially cats. She was very talented musically. She mastered several different instruments and had an extraordinary singing voice; some even said she was the "Kate Smith of Hot Springs."

Verna was the very best mother, grandma, sister, and friend a person or child could ever have. Losing her leaves a big hole in our hearts, and we think of her every day.

Surviving Verna are her husband, Walter Denett Sr., Summerset; her children, Tracy Jorgenson, Rapid City, Mary Denett, Hot Springs, Julie (Travis) Smrstick, Piedmont, and Walter (Kami) Denett Jr., Summerset; 6 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and her sister.

A memorial has been established to the Hot Springs Senior Center.