Verna Millage, age 87, of Ogema, MN, died Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home, Mahnomen, MN.

Verna Mae Morgan was born January 15, 1933, in Naytahwaush, MN, the daughter of George and Eliza (Ross) Morgan, the youngest of nine children. She grew up in Naytahwaush, attending Naytahwaush Elementary and Flandreau Indian Vocational High School in South Dakota. While being away from her parents for nine months during the school year had its struggles, she always valued the many lessons learned that prepared her for life's challenges along the way. Verna graduated from Flandreau in 1952. As a child, her family was always actively involved in Native American Traditions. Her parents both spoke fluent Ojibwe and passed on many of their traditions to their children. The family spent a lot of time attending and dancing at Pow Wows, taking part in the Wild Rice Harvest Festival every fall, maple sugaring at their maple sugar camp just five miles from their home, and camping throughout the entire wild ricing season.

In February of 1960, Verna was united in marriage to Clark J. Millage and the couple was blessed with five children. The family made their home in the Mahnomen and Waubun areas. After the death of her husband, Verna was a single mother who always worked hard for her family and without complaint. She was employed for many years as a home school coordinator for both the Detroit Lakes and Waubun School districts, until registering for classes at Bemidji State University in the 1970's, to better provide for her family. During these years, she also experienced the death of her son, Lowell, but continued to be an inspiration to her family of patience, love and perseverance.

In the early 1980's, Verna started working at the Circle of Life School full time, while raising a family and attending extension classes at Moorhead State University in their summer sessions. In 1987, she proudly graduated from Moorhead State with a Bachelor's degree in Human Services and an emphasis in Chemical Dependency Counseling. Over the years, Verna helped many students register for classes and it was always her goal to see that the students reached their highest potential. She worked with students at the Thief River Falls Community College, Fergus Falls Community College, Moorhead State University and closer to home at Circle of Life School in White Earth. Verna always kept busy and never truly retired. She worked part time at Healing Pathways and most recently as a PCA for her great grandson.

Verna touched many lives throughout her work in the school systems and many will forever be grateful for her care and nurturing she showed them.  In addition, Verna also shared her great gift of music. She loved all music and played her guitar and sang with friends and family whenever possible. Verna was a great storyteller who enjoyed thrifting, going to Walmart and Great Clips. She had an endless love for her family and friends and will be greatly missed by many.

Verna is survived by one son, Robert of Fergus Falls, MN; three daughters: Kimberly (Mark) Lage of Audubon, MN, Sheree Millage of Ogema and Stacy Millage of Detroit Lakes, MN; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two sons, Lowell and Teddy; five brothers: Raymond, Lehman, Robert, Edward, and Fred Morgan Sr.; three sisters and brothers-in-law: Isabelle (John) Bellefeuille, Catherine (Leonard) McDougall and Rose (Jerry) Rawley.

Funeral Services will take place at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Church, Naytahwaush, MN, at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2020, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. at Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen, MN. Burial will be in Samuel Memorial Episcopal Cemetery, Naytahwaush, MN, at a later date.