Juanita Marie Verhey

Juanita Marie Verhey, 87, of Cokato, MN, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 19th, 2026 at Cokato Manor. Juanita Groshens was born in Jackson County, MN, on August 6, 1938, to Ernest and Dorothy Groshens. She attended high school in Paynsville, graduating in 1956. Nita met Ted at the Hilltop in Manannah, where he worked, and they married on October 28th, 1961. Their family started in 1962. Together, they had six children: Tim, Dom, Gail, Jenny, Sue, and JJ. Nita and Ted settled in Dassel, MN, in 1966. During her life, Nita took care of everyone by cooking. Her specialties included chicken and noodles, countless hot dishes, peanut butter blossoms, strawberry rhubarb jam, monkey bread, and “Naughty Nita Bars”. Her favorite was a big pot of vegetable beef soup. Nita worked several different jobs in Dassel, but worked at Crest Electronics for more than 10 years. When they later moved to Hutchinson, she worked in food service at 3M, Cash Wise, Ecumen Oaks, and Hutchinson Technology Inc. Nita devoted her life to her family. She loved her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids more than anything. She was best known for her big heart and generous nature. Her Facebook account was infamous among her community, and she always had candy for the kids. She was deeply civic-minded, and her many hobbies and interests included playing cards, snowmobiling, bowling, archery, cooking, visiting casinos, trying her luck with scratch-offs, and cheering on Minnesota sports teams. Nita will always be remembered for her generosity and humor. We will always remember her telling each of us, “You’re my favorite, don’t tell anyone else.” Nita is survived by her sister Patricia Sommerfeld, her children, Timothy (Sue) Sarver-Verhey, Dominic (Andrea) Verhey, Gail Schulte, Jennifer (Brian) Wulff, Sue Verhey, and Jeremiah (Jennah) Verhey, grandchildren Nicholas (Merideth) Schulte, Michael (Joti) Schulte, Caitlin (John) Bergstrom, Riley (Courtney) Schulte, Abigail Sarver-Verhey, Jacob Sarver-Verhey, Noah (Rachel) Wulff, Jenavieve Verhey, Simon Wulff, Jasper Verhey, Zoe Verhey and Jorjah Verhey, great-grandchildren August Schulte, Hayes Schulte, and Jack Schulte. Nita was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Dorothy Groshens; her husband, Theodore Verhey; and her siblings, Donald, Delbert, Vic, Darryl, David, and Beverly Groshens. Nita’s Celebration of Life will be held at the Dassel History Center on August 16 from 1:00–3:00 p.m. Location: Dassel History Center 901 1st St. Dassel, MN 55325 Nita will be laid to rest beside Ted at Fort Snelling on August 18.

Juanita Marie Verhey

August 6, 1938 - July 19, 2026