Photo by Jody Isaackson Brad and Kirsten Verly married Sept.10 and are making their home in their hometown of Marshall.

Editor’s Note: This story is the latest in a series that reflect the contributions made by Marshall High School graduates when they returned to the community.

MARSHALL — Brad and Kirsten (Haukom) Verly discovered each other when they each made the move back to their hometown.

And now the Marshall graduates are starting a life together.

“Things sort of fell into place for us. I was lucky enough to meet Brad and feel blessed with the time that we get to spend with our family and friends,” Kirsten said. “We get to do what we love in a community that has a lot to offer.”

Brad claims a romantic twist that may not have happened if he had not moved back to Marshall.

“Had I not moved back, I wouldn’t have ‘re-met’ my wife, Kirsten,” he said.

The Verlys married Sept. 10 at Holy Redeemer Church. And they now enjoy life together in Marshall with their golden retriever named Huckleberry.

Kirsten has been a physical therapist at Big Stone Therapies for about five years while Brad is a Farm Business Management instructor at Minnesota West Community Technical College for just one year.

Having graduated MHS in 2006, Kirsten attended The College of St. Scholastica and earned a bachelor’s degree in health science. She went on to obtain a doctorate in physical therapy as well.

Graduating from MHS in 2007, Brad went on to college at St. John’s University earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

“After graduating physical therapy school, I started here with Big Stone and have been here ever since,” Kirsten said.

When Brad graduated from college, he spent a couple of years working at a private company in Minneapolis doing internal accounting.

“I moved back to Marshall in the fall of 2013,” Brad said, “and started working at Hoffman & Brobst doing tax and audit work until I made the switch to my current job last April.”

The couple shared their reasons for returning to Marshall.

“I had done an internship with Big Stone while in physical therapy school,” Kirsten said, “so I already knew it was a great opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. I love being close to my family and enjoy being in the community of Marshall.”

Family played a big part in Brad’s decision as well.

“One of the main reasons I moved back to Marshall was to become more involved in my family’s farm,” he said, “and also to enjoy a smaller-town atmosphere. This is the community I grew up in, and I’ve really enjoyed being back the last three-and-a half years.”

Since returning to Marshall, the Verlys have begun getting involved in their hometown community in unique ways.

Kirsten’s contribution includes leading a Parkinson’s exercise group. Her personal actives include recreational volleyball and golf leagues.

“We belong to Holy Redeemer Church,” Brad said. “Kirsten is involved with meal ministry through the church.”

Brad contributed back to the community by helping transition several family farms from one generation to the next through his job. His personal activities and hobbies include hunting, fishing and playing men’s golf league in Marshall.

When they think about when they returned to Marshall to live and work, Kirsten said that the most satisfying thing for her was that, “I’m also thankful for the time I’ve been able to spend with family and friends as well as the relationships I’ve built with people in the community.”