Verna M. Siemens

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Verna Mae Siemens was born December 19, 1930 at Inman, KS. She was the second daughter of Peter T. and Selma (Plett) Franz. Many fond memories were made working and playing with her sisters Lovella and Evelyn. A stillborn sister, Mary Lou, preceded her in death.

Verna Mae attended Inman schools and later received a teaching degree from Bethel College. She taught first and second grades at Willis School near Buhler, KS. and at Kingman Grade School.

On May 17, 1952, she married Melvin Siemens at Hebron Mennonite Church near Buhler. They spent two years in Denver where Mel served in 1-W service and Verna Mae worked in an office. They moved back to Kansas and answered an ad, placed by R.A. Graber in a Mennonite publication, looking for a young farmer to partner with. This Kingman crop farm included a dairy until 1986. Verna Mae, being a detail person, took a lot of responsibility with helping to manage the dairy.

Verna Mae was a loving homemaker, taking great interest in family. She was quick to help her children and grandchildren with educational projects. She enjoyed sewing and cooking. On Saturday her home often smelled of freshly-baked goods, especially rolls and pies. Other interests included gardening, landscaping, quilting, music and reading. She was quick to pen thoughtful notes to family and friends. We will remember her eloquence, elegance and caring nature.

She served her church and community in many ways. While a member of Kingman Mennonite Church, she served as pianist and was on the board of Lollypop House Daycare. She served as a 4-H leader, and served on the Kingman Council on Aging. In later years she and Mel joined Hope Mennonite Church where she helped to establish the Garden of Hope Interment.

A few months ago she and Mel moved to Wichita where she could receive nursing care. There must have been joy in heaven when Verna Mae passed into her eternal home on October 21, 2012.

Those who survive her and cherish her in their hearts are loving husband Melvin; children, Byron(Brenda) Siemens of Kingman, Karin(Dave) Koch of Wichita, and Sid(Judy) of Oklahoma City; grandsons, Nathan, Brandon, Seth and Aaron Siemens of Kingman and Daniel and Austin Hankins of Wichita. She is also survived by two sisters, Lovella (Albert) Franz of Buhler; Evelyn (Howard) Lohrentz of Hesston; nieces and nephews and sister-in-law, Neva Siemens of Wichita.