RAPID CITYVerne W. Barrett, 91, died at Rapid City Regional Hospital on Sunday, May 22, 2011. Verne was born on November 22, 1919, in Sioux Falls, to Guy and Melita (Aldridge) Barrett. He attended schools in Sioux Falls including Washington High School. Verne worked at Morrells Packing Company until he was called into military service. He joined the US Navy in November of 1942 and was discharged in October of 1945. Upon his return home, he continued work at Morrells until he moved to California to be with his parents. On December 28, 1946, he married Evelyn O. Lee at Glendale, CA. After a few years of work in California, they moved back to Sioux Falls. One son, David, and one daughter, Anita, were born to this union. After 30 years of service with the City of Sioux Falls Water Department, he retired in February of 1982. Following his retirement, he moved with his wife, Evelyn, to Rapid City. After fifty years of marriage, Evelyn passed away on April 28, 1997. Later Verne married Pearl H. Johnson of Hill City on November 20, 1999. Vernes retirement years gave him time for travels throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. He was a member of Kiwanis, the Unity Lodge #130 of Sioux Falls and Faith Lutheran Church. He enjoyed going to meetings, the camaraderie of friends, woodworking, coin collecting, investing and was an avid reader. He also loved to plan family holidays and great trips. Survivors include his wife Pearl Johnson Barrett, Rapid City; one son, David and his wife Sally and their daughters, Emily Barrett and Katie Barrett and her children, Thomas James and Elijah Lee, all of Keokuk; Vernes daughter, Anita Winter and her husband Brian, Rapid City and their sons, Tally Winter and Traci Cornett, and their children, Shine, Avery and Phineas, all of Rapid City and Tyler Winter of Ashland, OR; one sister, Sibyl Vernon, of Medford, OR; six step-children, Robert Johnson, Piscayune, MS, Gregory and David Johnson, both of Rapid City, Mary Johnson, Hill City, Carol Linder, Rapid City and Barbara Degley, Milwaukee, WI; 21 step-grandchildren and 14 step-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn in 1997, his parents, Guy and Melita Barrett and brothers, Robert, Elmore and Paul. Memorial visitation will be from 4 until 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 27, at Faith Lutheran Church with Rev. Jeff Rohr officiating. Burial, with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota National Guard, will be at 1:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church.