Our sister and aunt Vera Lou Smith was born March 2, 1946, at Montezuma, KS, to Marlin and Helen (Jantzen) Smith. She passed to her eternal reward at Bethel Home, Montezuma, KS, on May 16, 2022, reaching the age of seventy-six years.

Vera attended school in the Burns, Ingalls, and Cimarron, KS, communities, part of this being in a country school.

She gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite by Minister Sam Jantzen at Cimarron, KS, on January 10, 1958.

Vera had numerous jobs including house cleaning and working in a café before settling into a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She spent many years lovingly caring for people at various locations including Grace Nursing Home, Bethel Home, and twenty-two years at St. Catherine Hospital.

She spent time in Gallup, New Mexico, at the child care home and later in the mission in Mexico. When her sister Aneda was suffering from cancer, Vera took time off from her job to care for her until her passing.

Having no children of her own, Vera's nieces and nephews were very special to her and she took a keen interest in their lives. She was always concerned for their spiritual well-being. Her last words were "I love you," whispered to one of her nephews.

Vera loved to sing, usually singing tenor when she sang in a group. She had numerous favorites that she would request when we would go sing for her. She enjoyed taking trips and often traveled with her friends or cousins to visit family members. Her hobbies included crocheting rugs and afghans, making homemade cards, and working in her yard.

It was a tremendous blow to Vera to receive a cancer diagnosis about eight years ago. She fought a valiant battle, defying the odds many times. Her courage was a tremendous inspiration to her family and congregation and we will long treasure the memory of the many times we came away from visiting her feeling like we were the ones to receive the greater blessing.

Survivors include her sisters: Wilma Rogers; Gloria Smith and husband David; one brother: Lowell; one brother-in-law: Wilford Schmidt and wife Diane, all of Cimarron, KS; ten nephews; four nieces; twenty-six great nephews and nieces; and one great-great-niece.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one sister: Aneda; one niece: Rebekah Dawn Rogers; and one brother-in-law: David Rogers.

The family suggests memorials to Heartland Cancer Center, St. Catherine Hospice or Bethel Home all in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14 ^th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.