Verna Langenderfer, age 92, of St. Clair Shores, MI, passed away on November 13, 2021. She was born in Toledo, Ohio on January 16, 1929, to parents Joseph and Louise Walkowiak. She spent her youth outdoors where she nurtured her love of nature and was always able to find joy in the simple pleasures of life, such as eating a fresh tomato from her garden, picking wildflowers, or sitting under an apple tree… sometimes even during school hours!
Verna met the love of her life at the local A&P, where a city girl met a country boy and they fell in love. They married in 1948, and eventually relocated to St. Clair Shores, Michigan for Gordon’s job with the U.S. Government at the Army Tank Automotive Command Center (TACOM). They joined St. Margaret of Scotland parish community where they met many of their life-long friends. She and Gordon were very involved in the parish in a variety of roles. Verna especially enjoyed her time with the Altar Sodality, and her children also attended the parish school. The family enjoyed yearly vacations to Houghton Lake, and she and Gordon enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and their local casinos!
Verna’s greatest passion and devotion was as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She could often be found attending any one of the grandchildren’s extracurricular activities. She especially enjoyed the arts and instilled a love of music and dance in her children. It was only after they had grown, she took on a part-time job at the local Kmart as the Door Greeter. She thoroughly enjoyed greeting all the customers, especially the children, and unbeknownst to most, worked very closely with the security team. Her adventures on this job would provide very lively commentary for our nightly dinner conversations.
Although Verna is most often described as sweet, she also had a silly and sassy side which the grandchildren adored. She maintained a youthful exuberance and was often the instigator of many shenanigans. Verna would define herself as an introvert, but we all knew better. She was a lively dinner and party guest and enjoyed being around her family, where she could be found most evenings.
In her later life, Verna’s social pleasure revolved around her church, taking long walks, trips to the park to look for deer, various concert performances and turtle sundaes with extra pecans!
Verna is predeceased by her beloved husband, Gordon, to whom she was married for 62 years. Cherished mother of Deborah (John) Saco, Tom (Linda) Langenderfer, Karen (Tom) Jankowski and Cathy (Larry) Chapman. Beloved Nana to Brian (Dana) Saco, Nicole Saco, Jennifer (Pat) Morton, Brad (Marina) Langenderfer, Jessica Chapman, Sara Chapman, Emily (Matthew) Spear, Caroline Jankowski, and Jillian Jankowski. Great Nana to Kayla Tyra, Cora Saco, Logan Morton, Jack Morton, and Madelyn Langenderfer. Surviving siblings include Josephine Horsman, Martha Pence and John Walkowiak, along with many nieces and nephews.
Verna did not wish for a traditional funeral. We are confident that she would be pleased that there will be a mass said in her memory at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Saturday, November 27 at 4:00 pm. A private Interment will be held at Resurrection Cemetery, date to be determined. Your kind words of comfort and prayers for our mother and family are very much appreciated. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kaulfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, donations to St Margaret of Scotland Church, would be appreciated.
21201 E. Thirteen Mile Road, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082.
