She was born on October 18, 1942 in Angola, Indiana to the late Vern and Ruth (Dreher) Echler.
Verna graduated from Hamilton High School in 1961.
She married Jerry Rakestraw on November 24, 2001 in Kanai, Hawaii.
Verna retired from Ingersoll Rand, Angola, Indiana.
She enjoyed bowling, walking, reading, golf, playing euchre, and was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and wife.
Survivors include her husband, Jerry Rakestraw of Fremont, Indiana, children, Ginger (Kenneth) Welch of Angola, Indiana, Barry Stoy of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tina Stoy of Santa Rosa, California, Nikki Stoy of Orland, Indiana, Kurt (Tresa) Rakestraw of Angola, Indiana, Penny (Dale) Stevenson of Angola, Indiana and Angie (Daryl) Grande of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
She also preceded in death by sisters, Carol Oliver, Doris Bolf, Sue Biller and Cindy Dornbush.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 pm until 5 pm on Sunday, April 20, 2025 at the Fremont American Legion Cassel Post # 257, Fremont, Indiana.
Memorial donations in her memory may be directed to the Fremont American Legion Cassel Post # 257.
