Verna S. Ackley, 91, of Eau Claire, formerly of Merrill, died Thursday, January 17, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. She was born January 7, 1922 in Gleason to the late Walter and Mary (Below) Schenk. Verna and Edwin Little were united in marriage in Merrill on August 7, 1943. He preceded her in death in 1955. She then married Claude Ackley in Stillwater, MN on July 12, 1974. He preceded her in death in 1976. Verna was a 1940 graduate of Merrill High School and then attended Lincoln County Normal School. She worked for Uniroyal in Eau Claire for 35 ½ years until retiring in 1981. Verna was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Eau Claire since 1977. She enjoyed travel, reading and was an excellent golfer. Verna is survived by her niece: Mari (Roger) Nelson, Merrill; and several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands: Edwin Little and Claude Ackley, three brothers: Alfred Schenk, William Schenk & Albert Schenk, six sisters: Myrtle Lange, Alice Lemke, Gladys Ehnebom, Anne Stubbe, Dorothy Larsen and Doris Haas, and several nieces and nephews. Services for Verna will be private. She will be buried in Gleason Cemetery. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.