Verena Gettel

Verena T. "Vera" Gettel, age 89 of Sauk Centre, died Saturday, February 12, 2011 at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 17 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating and Rev. Sylvester Kleinschmidt concelebrating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.

Verena Theresia Johnson was born October 22, 1921 in West Union, Minnesota to Ole and Christina (Rademacher) Johnson. After completing school in West Union, Vera moved to St. Paul where she worked as rectory cook and housekeeper. On October 19, 1943 she was united in marriage to Lawrence J. Gettel at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. The couple farmed in Ashley Township, Stearns County, until retiring in 1972 and moving to Sauk Centre. After Lawrence's death in 1991, Vera moved in with her daughter, Marlene, and her family. Vera became a resident of St. Michael's Nursing Home on August 4, 2000. Vera has had multiple sclerosis for the past 50 years and had never once complained of her crippling disease. She had a strong faith and was a very caring and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed being with her family, cooking, gardening, playing BINGO, watching the Minnesota Twins, listening to Old Time music and going for rides in the summer in her wheelchair.

Vera was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers.

Vera is survived by her daughters, Marlene (Kevin) Gwost of Sauk Centre and Karen (Dave) Taylor of Cold Spring; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and sister, Delores "Lori" Johnson of St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre.

Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Gettel on March 15, 1991; granddaughter, Lou Ann Tabatt; parents; brothers, Ted, Art, Romaine, and Clarence Johnson; and sister, Evelyn Spillman.

Serving as casket bearers will be her grandsons, Lawrence Gwost, Harland Hector, Rick Tabatt, Jerry Tabatt, David Tabatt, and Michael Tabatt. Serving as cross bearer will be her great-grandson, Trevor Messer and scripture bearer will be her great-granddaughter, Ashley Haberkorn. Honorary bearers will be her granddaughters, Sharon Gwost, Cheryl Messer, Victoria Jacobs, Anita Moen, Lisa Rische and granddaughters-in-law, Jennifer Hector and Barb Tabatt.