Verna Elizabeth (Stelzel) Bates, age 96, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2020. Preceded in death by parents, Edward and Elizabeth Stelzel, and husbands, Edwin W. Marks and William T. Bates, two sons, Eldred E. Marks and Wayne W. Marks, a stepson Michael T. Bates, as well as two brothers Gerald E. (Betty) Stelzel, of Farmington, MN, and Leonard L. (Mary) Stelzel, of Brainerd, MN. She is survived by two special nieces, Barbara (Lowell) Carlson of Shakopee, MN and Lois (James) Jari of Medford, WI. She has one great nephew, two great nieces, three great, great nephews, two godsons and three goddaughters, all of whom loved her dearly.
Verna was born September 4, 1923 at Dorchester, WI, and baptized on September 25, 1923. She was confirmed October 13, 1935 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Milan, WI, and had been a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Farmington, MN since 1993 and a previous member of Zion Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls, WI, where she lived all her married life. Verna was a devoted Christian and it was her strong connection to God that remained the guiding force behind everything in her life.
Verna's life was an inspiration to all who knew her. While she suffered an unimaginable tragedy with the untimely deaths of her two sons and first husband, she chose to embrace life and keep moving forward. Verna resolved to live the life God gave her to the fullest. She filled her days with many interests including quilting, embroidery, tadding, watching Green Bay Packer games, playing music and traveling to see family and friends.
Verna held a deep love for music and an appreciation for many different instruments. She played the guitar and the piano, and enjoyed giving lessons to several children over the years. She was very proud of her ability to play the accordion, and early in life, she played Sax in a band called "Eddie's Venetian Entertainers". Her love for music lasted throughout her life and while living at Augustana Care, she belonged to the chimes group, sang in the choir, and played drums in a band called the "Hens and Roosters Jug Band".
Verna had an adventurous spirit and was always up for seeing new places and trying new things, but her greatest joy was simply spending time visiting with family and many friends. Verna had an amazing ability to make everyone in her presence feel welcome and special. She was an extraordinary person who positively blessed everyone she met. She will be forever missed.
Private graveside services will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls, WI.
Verna was born September 4, 1923 at Dorchester, WI, and baptized on September 25, 1923. She was confirmed October 13, 1935 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Milan, WI, and had been a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Farmington, MN since 1993 and a previous member of Zion Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls, WI, where she lived all her married life. Verna was a devoted Christian and it was her strong connection to God that remained the guiding force behind everything in her life.
Verna's life was an inspiration to all who knew her. While she suffered an unimaginable tragedy with the untimely deaths of her two sons and first husband, she chose to embrace life and keep moving forward. Verna resolved to live the life God gave her to the fullest. She filled her days with many interests including quilting, embroidery, tadding, watching Green Bay Packer games, playing music and traveling to see family and friends.
Verna held a deep love for music and an appreciation for many different instruments. She played the guitar and the piano, and enjoyed giving lessons to several children over the years. She was very proud of her ability to play the accordion, and early in life, she played Sax in a band called "Eddie's Venetian Entertainers". Her love for music lasted throughout her life and while living at Augustana Care, she belonged to the chimes group, sang in the choir, and played drums in a band called the "Hens and Roosters Jug Band".
Verna had an adventurous spirit and was always up for seeing new places and trying new things, but her greatest joy was simply spending time visiting with family and many friends. Verna had an amazing ability to make everyone in her presence feel welcome and special. She was an extraordinary person who positively blessed everyone she met. She will be forever missed.
Private graveside services will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls, WI.
Verna Elizabeth (Stelzel) Bates, age 96, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2020. Preceded in death by parents, Edward and Elizabeth Stelzel, and husbands, Edwin W. Marks and William T. Bates, two sons, Eldred E. Marks and Wayne W. Marks, a stepson Michael T. Bates, as well as two brothers Gerald E. (Betty) Stelzel, of Farmington, MN, and Leonard L. (Mary) Stelzel, of Brainerd, MN. She is survived by two special nieces, Barbara (Lowell) Carlson of Shakopee, MN and Lois (James) Jari of Medford, WI. She has one great nephew, two great nieces, three great, great nephews, two godsons and three goddaughters, all of whom loved her dearly.
Verna was born September 4, 1923 at Dorchester, WI, and baptized on September 25, 1923. She was confirmed October 13, 1935 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Milan, WI, and had been a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Farmington, MN since 1993 and a previous member of Zion Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls, WI, where she lived all her married life. Verna was a devoted Christian and it was her strong connection to God that remained the guiding force behind everything in her life.
Verna's life was an inspiration to all who knew her. While she suffered an unimaginable tragedy with the untimely deaths of her two sons and first husband, she chose to embrace life and keep moving forward. Verna resolved to live the life God gave her to the fullest. She filled her days with many interests including quilting, embroidery, tadding, watching Green Bay Packer games, playing music and traveling to see family and friends.
Verna held a deep love for music and an appreciation for many different instruments. She played the guitar and the piano, and enjoyed giving lessons to several children over the years. She was very proud of her ability to play the accordion, and early in life, she played Sax in a band called "Eddie's Venetian Entertainers". Her love for music lasted throughout her life and while living at Augustana Care, she belonged to the chimes group, sang in the choir, and played drums in a band called the "Hens and Roosters Jug Band".
Verna had an adventurous spirit and was always up for seeing new places and trying new things, but her greatest joy was simply spending time visiting with family and many friends. Verna had an amazing ability to make everyone in her presence feel welcome and special. She was an extraordinary person who positively blessed everyone she met. She will be forever missed.
Private graveside services will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls, WI.
Verna was born September 4, 1923 at Dorchester, WI, and baptized on September 25, 1923. She was confirmed October 13, 1935 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Milan, WI, and had been a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Farmington, MN since 1993 and a previous member of Zion Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls, WI, where she lived all her married life. Verna was a devoted Christian and it was her strong connection to God that remained the guiding force behind everything in her life.
Verna's life was an inspiration to all who knew her. While she suffered an unimaginable tragedy with the untimely deaths of her two sons and first husband, she chose to embrace life and keep moving forward. Verna resolved to live the life God gave her to the fullest. She filled her days with many interests including quilting, embroidery, tadding, watching Green Bay Packer games, playing music and traveling to see family and friends.
Verna held a deep love for music and an appreciation for many different instruments. She played the guitar and the piano, and enjoyed giving lessons to several children over the years. She was very proud of her ability to play the accordion, and early in life, she played Sax in a band called "Eddie's Venetian Entertainers". Her love for music lasted throughout her life and while living at Augustana Care, she belonged to the chimes group, sang in the choir, and played drums in a band called the "Hens and Roosters Jug Band".
Verna had an adventurous spirit and was always up for seeing new places and trying new things, but her greatest joy was simply spending time visiting with family and many friends. Verna had an amazing ability to make everyone in her presence feel welcome and special. She was an extraordinary person who positively blessed everyone she met. She will be forever missed.
Private graveside services will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls, WI.
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