Hugo Mertens, 89, of Valley Springs, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026, surrounded by his family at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Risen Savior Catholic Church in Brandon.
Verla Mae Baden was born on Sept. 2nd, 1938, in Pipestone, Minn., to Ernest and Alma (Wittrock) Hubner. She was baptized on Oct. 2, 1938, and confirmed on June 22, 1952, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Verla grew up in Pipestone, graduating from Pipestone High School in 1956.
