Verda Gharst 1941-2025
Verda June Gharst, 84, passed into the loving arms of her Savior on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
She was born March 23, 1941 in Holton, the daughter of Carl E. Bradley and Eleanor E. (Bohannon) Bradley. She had a wonderful happy childhood spent on the family farm 1½ miles southwest of Holton. She attended Lower Banner School during grades 1-8, then on to Holton High School and in later years some college.
On May 31, 1959, she married David C. Kuglin. Three children were born to this family; Ann R. (Kuglin) Jones, Kay M. (Kuglin) Smith and Troy D. Kuglin. They later divorced.
She married Frank “Bud” Brosa Jr.; they later divorced.
On Oct. 26, 1993, she married Gary T. Gharst. They made their home near Topeka. He preceded her in death on April 26, 2022. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Eleanor Bradley; a brother, James R. Bradley; and a sister, Helen Askren.
Verda worked at St. Francis Hospital for seven years and retired from Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center after 25½ years of service.
She was introduced and baptized into the Christian faith early in her childhood at First Christian church, Holton, Kansas. Later, she was a 66-year member of Evangel United Methodist Church at Holton.
Verda was a former choir member and Sunday school teacher at Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton. She and her family were very involved in 4-H work for many years. She was a member of the Lower Banner E.H.U, the Sunflower Club, the Moose Chapter 1091 in Topeka and enjoyed volunteering with the Holton Hospital Auxiliary.
Verda enjoyed bowling for many years, traveling, photography and loved all her family more than they can ever imagine.
She is survived by her daughters, Ann Jones (Rick), Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Kay Smith (Jay), Wetmore; a son, Troy Kuglin (Jenny), McLouth; a sister, Ethel Ann King; four stepchildren, Julie Cereghino (Al), Olympia, Wash., and Randy Gharst, David Gharst (Tami) and Lana Lucht, all of McPherson; six grandchildren, Danielle, Nathan, Jordan, Paul, Katie and Matthew; two stepgrandchildren, Garry and Danielle; eight great-grandchildren, Cameron, Cooper, Connor, Jaxson, Kyrah, Eliza, Hudson and baby boy Kuglin; and her dog, Lilly.
Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Family will greet friends one hour prior to service. Private family inurnment will follow at the Holton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
