Vernell Volsen, 78, of Wells, died on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, at the Albert Lea Medical Center in Albert Lea after fighting a courageous battle against cancer. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wells Assembly of God Church. The Rev. Tomm Byrtus will officiate. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Wells.

Vernell Gloria Volsen was born on Aug. 27, 1929, in Dunbar Township, Faribault County, the daughter of Herbert and Rande (Urban) Boelke. She attended country school in Dunbar Township and worked various jobs in the Wells area including Swift Ehrich for 22 years (retiring in 1999). She married Lester Volsen on July 9, 1955, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells. The couple farmed for a short time near New Richland before moving to Wells and building a home. She was a member of the Wells Assembly of God Church, where she served as Sunday school secretary, VBS teacher, and helped out with church cleaning and serving church events. Vernell loved time with her family and enjoyed cooking delicious meals for them. She liked gardening, canning and was known for baking delicious pies and cookies.

Vernell is survived by her loving husband Lester Volsen of Wells; three sons Ronald (LeAnn) Volsen of Wells and their children Andrea, Eric and Adam, Randy (Patty) Volsen of Clear Lake, Iowa, and their children Ashley and Joshua, Robert (Darci) Volsen of Wells and their children Haley, Emily, Ethan and Makenzy; three sisters Doryce Soost of Wells, Thelma (Clarence) Wetzel of Wells, Darlene (Leonard) Bias of Mendota, Ill.; sister and brothers-in-law: Doris and Robert Breid of New Richland, Pierina Volsen of Fridley, Lois and Clarence Korfe of Clarissa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother Palmer; sister Margie Soost; and brothers-in-law Elmer Soost and John Soost and Donald Volsen; and grandson Alan David Volsen.