Throughout her 92 years, Vernetta lived her life as best she knew how. She was the oldest daughter of Omer and Oleava Schlegel and had fond memories of times spent with her sister, Mary Ellen, and her Schlegel cousins. She also learned to knit, crochet, embroidery and quilt from her Grandma Zehr who lived on their family farm outside of Tavistock, Ontario. She met Olin Steinman at her neighbour’s wedding. He later became her husband on November 14, 1953. Together they shared over 40 years of life: briefly in Kitchener but primarily on a farm outside of Tavistock and then later a smaller property outside of Baden. Although traditional in many ways, she also enjoyed many years volunteering/working part time for the 10,000 Villages warehouse and running a quilting business. She was active in the Sewing Circle programs at Tavistock Mennonite Church and later at Steinmann Mennonite Church for many years. Her and Olin participated in many other aspects of church life as well. In 2002, Vernetta moved to the Garden Homes in Nithview, later to Assisted Living and eventually to Long Term Care. She had many happy years there with neighbours and friends.Vernetta is survived by her children: Marjorie, Montreal; Sharon (Dave Neufeld), New Hamburg; Myron (Naveeda), Kitchener; Caroline (Mark Balcaen), Kenora; and Melody, New Hamburg as well as her grandchildren: Katie (Greg), Olin, Narmeen, Michelle (Blaine) and Austin (Meggan). She was the proud great grandmother of her name sake Susanna Mae. Vernetta is also survived by her sister, Mary Ellen Gingerich, Zurich and sister-in-law, Ruth Steinman, Stratford as well as brother-in-law, Wallace Steinman, Tavistock. She was predeceased by Olin in 1995, grandson Amanj Aras Saber and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Melvin Gingerich, Mahlon and Emma Steinman, Alvin and Ada Steinmann, Elda Steinman, Loretta and Elroy Litchy, Violet and Elroy Brenneman, Bob McCormick, Orval and Pat Steinmann and Laverne Steinman.In the fall of 2020, she was diagnosed with dementia. She had to make many difficult adjustments with the COVID pandemic which accelerated her condition.A strong faith in God helped Vernetta to cope throughout the challenges that came her way. How she lived her life testified to her belief in the truths in Psalm 121 which was one of her favourite Bible passages. “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. The LORD watches over you—the LORD will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”Relatives and friends are invited to the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron Street, New Hamburg on Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Interment will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Steinmann Mennonite Church Cemetery at 1:45 p.m. with a Celebration of Vernetta’s life in the church at 2:30 p.m. Reception to follow. For those unable to attend a livestream will be available on the Steinmann Mennonite Church website.As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee, Steinmann Mennonite Church or Nithview Community – Pastoral Care which can be done through the funeral home.Personal condolences and donation information available at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca.
