Verena Seifert, age 86 of Jordan, passed away at her home on Friday, February 5, 2016. A visitation will be held Friday, February 12, 2016 from 4-8PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Jordan. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 11AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with a visitation 1-hour prior. Verena will be laid to rest next to her husband, Don, at Calvary Cemetery. Father Timothy Yanta will preside. Pallbearers will be Verena’s grandchildren.

On April 26, 1929 William and Rose (Mamer) Koenig celebrated the birth of their first child, Verena Theresa Koenig. Verena was raised on the family’s dairy farm just north of New Prague along with her four siblings, Rosemary, Paul, Jerome, and Ann. As a young adult, Verena was active and involved. She was a librarian in high school. Being a music lover, she was a member of the Glee Club and played clarinet in the school band for four years. In 1947, Verena graduated from New Prague High School and began working as a bank teller at the State Bank of New Prague where she worked for three years until she was married.

It was at the Park Ballroom in New Prague that Verena met a young man, Don Seifert. That evening she was wearing a blue skirt, so Don asked Verena to dance to The Blue Skirt Waltz. She accepted and the rest is history. The couple later exchanged wedding vows on May 13, 1950 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. Verena joined Don on the family farm, and, shortly after marrying, they began their family. They were blessed with ten wonderful children, Patricia, Carol, Robert, Shirley, Mary, Joanne, Joseph, Donna, Mark, and Chris.

Verena dedicated her time to her family, their farm, and to her community. She was an excellent task master, juggling parenting, cooking, laundry, cleaning, and yard work. She had a green thumb and managed a large vegetable garden growing enough to can and freeze for the year. Fresh pies were prepared every weekend, and she magically produced wine from rhubarb, dandelions and raisins. Being an accomplished seamstress, she sewed clothes for her children and herself. Family was the most important thing in Verena’s life. She loved the holidays creating lasting traditions for her children especially Christmas and Easter decorating and baking. She never wanted to miss anything and welcomed all to celebrations at her home.

Verena’s role as a farm wife was varied as she drove tractor, raised chickens, helped maintain the buildings, and managed the business aspect of farming. Don and Verena were great partners in their dairy business until they retired in 1994 and passed the farm to their son. Don and Verena built their retirement home on their land down the road and enjoyed a more leisurely life together.

Verena greatly enjoyed spending time with her husband. Over the years, they participated in bowling leagues, golfing leagues, card clubs, a square dance group and enjoyed fishing on Cedar Lake always hoping for the “big one”. They enjoyed traveling across the states, in addition to wonderful vacations to Germany, Rome and Mexico. As Don learned the skill of woodworking, Verena was at his side doing the finishing work. As their family grew, in 1990 they began hosting a family reunion every summer at a resort. It was the highlight of their grandchildren’s summer filled with boating, swimming, competitive fishing, great food, late-night campfires and golfing. And most importantly, the fun weekend brought everyone close sharing memories, laughter and adventures!

Because of her strong faith, Verena tirelessly volunteered in many capacities at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She was a religion teacher and a member of the liturgy committee and parish council. Music was very important to her, so she was instrumental in starting the 8 am choir which she and Don sang in for many years. She also volunteered as a 4-H leader and hosted foreign exchange students in her home through the University of Minnesota’s agricultural program. Verena worked as a bookkeeper for the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) for 42 years.

Verena was a dedicated woman. She was meticulous and always accomplished what she set her mind to do. She was loving and caring and passed on her strong faith and traditions to her family. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her the greatest joy. She will be greatly missed by her children, Patricia (Gordie) Hoffman, Carol (Steve) Johnson, Robert (Lori) Seifert, Shirley (Bill) Rutz, Joseph (Anne) Seifert, Donna (Tim) Will, Mark (Cindi) Seifert, and Chris Seifert; son-in-law Gary (Jodi) Busse, 19 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; siblings, Rosemary Sevcik, Jerome (Arnella) Koenig, and Ann Rhodes; other loving relatives and friends.

Verena will be greeted in heaven by her husband, Don; daughters, Mary Busse and Joanne Seifert; granddaughter, Amelia Rutz; and brother, Paul Koenig. Knowing Verena, there will be a party!

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