Our loving mother, grandmother, and friend to many, Verna Katherine Klingel Cleveland, went home to be with her Lord Jesus, Tuesday morning, February 12, 2013, at the Willow Brook Christian Village in Delaware. She was 98 years young.
On September 13, 1914, Verna was born in Sheffield, Iowa, one of five children of the late Frank and Alma (Boelk) Klingel.
As a family they moved to Marion County when she was young, where she graduated from Marion Harding High School and sang in their acapella choir.
Shortly following her graduation, Verna married the love of her life, Robert L. “Bob” Cleveland, in June of 1934. Together they shared over 58 years of marriage and lovingly raised two daughters, Regina and Judy. Robert preceded her in death on September 22, 1992.
After working for several years as supervisor of the Montgomery Ward catalog department, Verna went to work for Columbia Gas, where she worked as supervisor of the office in Marion for more than 10 years until her retirement in 1976.
A woman of deep faith, Verna was a faithful attendee of the Chapel North in Noblesville, Indiana. For 10 years, she lived there with her daughter Regina and in Sarasota, Florida with her daughter Judy. She was a “good Christian lady” who would be the first to help anyone.
Tending to a garden everywhere she lived, Verna loved growing flowers and vegetables, and most especially caring for her rose bushes.
With a love for music, Verna had a passion for singing throughout her entire life. She enjoyed singing with her family and in choirs at church.
A world traveler, Verna thoroughly enjoyed traveling overseas to Israel five times, London, Greece, and Jordan and Costa Rica. She also traveled all over the U.S., cherishing every moment of her trips with her family.
Spending most of their summer’s on their boat in Lake Erie, Verna and Bob were always out fishing. Nevertheless, she was much better at cooking the fish than she was at catching the fish, as had many great fish fries for her family.
First and foremost for Verna was always her family. No matter the occasion, she was there beside them helping any way she could. She was her grandchildren’s biggest fan, never missing any of their sports.
When you try to describe Verna, all of the best adjectives come to mind… “exceptional”, “wild”, “entertaining”, “incredible”, “fearless”…to name just a few. She leaves a great legacy for her family to follow, as she lived an extraordinary and full life. Truly, “everyone loved Verna”.
She will be dearly missed by her two daughters: Regina Cramer of Marion, and Judy (Peter) Kauffmann of Sarasota, Florida; 7 grandchildren: Craig (Joy) Cramer, Chris Cramer, Cory (Angie) Cramer, Cary Cramer, Cara Fry, Laurie Cramer (granddaughter-in-law), Marc (Susan) Kibbey, and Shand Kibbey; 20 great-grandchildren; her sister, Irene (Donald) Quigley of Marion; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Including her husband and parents, Verna was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Dick Cramer; and three brothers: Harold, Lester and Virgil Klingel.
Her family will greet friends from 1 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services celebrating her life will follow there at 3:00 p.m., led by her family and friends. Burial will follow in Waldo Cemetery.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Verna’s family, and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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