Verda started her dance card on July 26, 1931 in Miller, South Dakota as the daughter of Ray Van Der Wert and Maude Swab Van Der Wert and the younger sister of Doris Snyder. Doris continues to live in Rapid City. As a young child, she moved to the Black Hills and attended schools in Hill City and Rapid City. She graduated from Rapid City High School in 1949. She met her life dance partner, Fred Lincoln Maxson at a country dance in Hermosa, South Dakota. They married March 7, 1950 in Rapid City at the First Presbyterian Church. She continued to fill her life’s dance card with the birth of her children: Lois Maxson of Salt Lake City, Utah; Kathy (Leo) Haley of Sherman Texas; Jim (Debbie) Maxson of Littleton, Colorado; Tom (Amy) Maxson of Rapid City, South Dakota; and Bob (Wendy) Maxson of Lafayette, Indiana. Before the arrival of her children, she worked at the Red Owl lunch counter. While she was busy raising her children, she volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout den mother and was active in PTA. She was also very active and held many positions in the VFW Auxiliary, the AFL-CIO Auxiliary and the Electrician’s Auxiliary. Also, while she was raising her children, she used her considerable talents for sewing, needle crafts and cake decorating for her friends and family. She created many beautiful wedding dresses and formal wear as well as wedding cakes and special occasion cakes. These talents also provided supplemental income for the family. She began a career with the Rapid City School system as a substitute cafeteria worker in 1976 and retired as a baker in 1993 at Central High School. During these years, her family grew to include grandchildren: Janice (Ben) Bigby of Denton Texas; Chad Dunn of Garland, Texas; Surene Henderson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Clarissa (Dustin Clayton) Henderson of Omaha, Nebraska; Steve (Tara) Maxson of Littleton, Colorado; Scott (Nikki) Maxson of San Francisco, California; Leanna and Marissa Maxson of Rapid City, South Dakota; Ben and Maggie Outland of Rapid City, South Dakota and Hannah, Keith, David and Sarah Maxson of Lafayette, Indiana. Great grandchildren include Caleb born to Janice and Ben, Addy and Lydia born to Steve and Tara and Ariana born to Clarissa and Dustin.After her last dance in 1997 with Fred due to his death, she continued to dance solo. She traveled to visit her children and grandchildren, served as deacon of the Presbyterian Church, led and organized widowed persons support groups and played Bunko. She was an active and well-loved resident of The Victorian assisted living facility. She danced off to meet her favorite dance partner Fred on March 18, 2015. Opportunities to celebrate her life include: a visitation at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home, Sunday March 22nd from 5:00 to 7:00 pm; a funeral service at noon at the First Presbyterian Church followed by a light luncheon; a burial ceremony at the Black Hills National Cemetery at 2:30pm; and donations in Verda's memory may be sent to the Rapid City VFW Post 1273 Ladies Auxiliary. Black tie is not required and dancing shoes are optional.