age 96, died Thursday at CentraCare Health Nursing Home.

Born to Albert and Elizabeth (Meyer) Bromenshenkel. After graduation from Sauk Centre High School in 1936 and until the end of World War II, she worked for several local businesses in Sauk Centre and St. Cloud.

United in marriage to Edwin Edward Steffes on November 16, 1946 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, and they remained members of the parish and community throughout their lives. She was also a member of Christian Mothers and Paul F. Donart VFW Post 2853 Auxiliary.

Verena worked for many years as a school cook at Holy Family School where she enjoyed interacting with students and staff. She especially loved the many opportunities to gather with family and friends on holidays, to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions, and for multi-generational family vacations. Verena also enjoyed the company of many new friends while living at Lakeshore Estates and Fairway Pines.

Preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edwin Steffes on April 5, 1996; sisters, Rita and Dorothy Bromenshenkel, Mary Gritzmacher-Langer, and Esther Winters; brothers, Lawrence, Victor, Robert, Leonard, and Allan Bromenshenkel; brothers-in-law, Vern Winters, Norman Gritzmacher, and Dan Langer.

She is lovingly remembered by her four children; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four sisters and their husbands; four sisters-in-laws; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 17th at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Jeremy Theis officiating.

Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jonathan, Christopher, and Jason Steffes, Peter and Emma Larson, and Geralyn Nienaber.