Verna Kuttel

Verna Kuttel, a lifetime Willapa Harbor resident passed away Jan. 27, 2015 at the Willapa Harbor Care Center in Raymond. She was 96 years old. Verna was born Sept. 3, 1918 in South bend, WA to Worthy and Ethel (Anderson) Edwards. The family moved to Raymond and opened Edwards Flower Gardens & Nursery. She graduated from Raymond High School on Feb. 5, 1938 married her local milkman, Emil Kuttel. Verna became a farmer’s wife, learning to milk, operate a two man bailer, cook for hired hands and canned everything that stood still long enough. Verna spent 30 years working as a nurse’s aide at the Riverview and Willapa Harbor Hospital. She worked nights and was well known for her expertise in the delivery room and nursery. She helped deliver 5 of her grandchildren. She was an outstanding baker and locally famous for her Christmas and Easter cookie and candy platters. Verna was also a Master Gardener before there was such a thing. She would plant anywhere she could find dirt. Her gardens and flower beds...