Detwiler, Veryl Evelyn

Veryl Evelyn Christgau was born March 10, 1911, to Edwin Gottlieb Christgau and Nellie Hudson Christgau in Grand Meadow, Minn. Veryl attended grade school in Grand Meadow and was sent to high school in Austin, Minn., at the age of 14. In Austin, she lived at Mrs. Terry's rooming house with several other young women. At Austin High School she met Baird Detwiler and together they appeared in school plays, operettas and musical productions. Following high school graduation, Veryl attended the University of Minnesota, where she majored in music education and was affiliated with Pi Beta Phi sorority. She left the university to work for her uncle in Washington, D.C., at the Anti-Saloon League for a short period of time.

On May 12, 1934, Veryl married Baird Edward Detwiler in Minneapolis, Minn. They lived in Austin, Minn., for a number of years before moving to Janesville, Wis. While in Janesville, their two children were born, Joan Hudson and Stephen Baird. In 1950, the family moved to Iowa City for Baird's insurance business.

Veryl first served as secretary for her husband's business and later was secretary to Dr. Spence, chairman of the Psychology Department at the University of Iowa from 1961-1964.

In 1968, Baird and Veryl moved to Mesa, Ariz., where Baird continued his insurance business and Veryl was secretary to the vice president and dean of the Graduate School at Arizona State University in Tempe for 10 years. She retired in 1977, but continued volunteer activities.

Veryl is survived by her daughter, Joan Jehle; brother, Maynar (Judy); grandchildren, Susan Jehle (Chris Dautremont), Scott Jehle (Kelly), Jeffrey Detwiler (Jay); great-grandchildren, Lynn, Ryan and Erin Jehle, Ayden Detwiler; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Baird in 1974; her son, Stephen in 1976; her parents, Edwin and Nellie; her brother, Ronald and his wife Ellen; and her sister-in-law, Esther.

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