"Dear mom, We miss you and dad so much but know you are together in Heaven. I look forward to joining you soon. I love you so much."
In loving memory of
Vernice Elizabeth Schreier
March 30, 1918 - August 30, 2015
MADISON - Vernice Elizabeth Schreier passed away on Sunday, August 30 after a long and wonderful life at age 97. Vernice had been waiting for two and a half years to join her beloved husband, Del, who passed away in February 2013. Vernice was born to Ida (Nelson) and Martin Hellestad in Unity, Wisconsin on March 30, 1918.
She received her B.A. from Northern Iowa University. After marriage in 1943, Del was in service and Vernice was hired by the government to help set up child care centers near the army posts. She was able to go with Del as he was transferred from one camp to another until he was sent to the European theater and then discharged in November 1945.
Vernice and Del raised their son and daughter in Madison. She did some substitute teaching before teaching half day kindergarten at Hoyt, Cherokee and Odana schools. Del and Vernice were members of Bethel Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, belonged to a Circle and worked at the Parish Shop. Faith, family and friends were most important in Vernice's life. In retirement Del and Vernice enjoyed spending winters in Florida or Arizona. The last years were in Fort Myers, Florida. They moved to Heritage Oaks at Oakwood West in 2006 when that building was new.
Vernice was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Del. She is survived by son David in Sunset, South Carolina; daughter Ginny in Waterloo, Ontario; granddaughter Becki and her mother Anne; and niece Jane.
Special thanks go to Senior Helpers, Agrace Hospice, Dr. Watts, Mike and Bev Thom, Hebron staff and friends at Oakwood West.
According to Del and Vernice's wishes, there will be a joint private memorial service at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Oakwood Foundation, Bethel Lutheran Church media ministry or Agrace Hospice.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434
Tributes
"I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who left comments. They are so nice, and we, Vernice's family, appreciate them."
"I had the pleasure of caring for Vernice for the last 6 months.She taught me how to love, live life to its fullest and laugh. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Even though I will miss her greatly, I know she is finally at peace and home with Del and her heavenly father. "
"My path crossed with Vernice at several points in my life. I was a kindergarten student at Orchard Ridge School in 1960. My teacher lost her life in childbirth. It was a confusing time for her class of children. Vernice was the teacher chosen to finish out the school year with us. A better choice could not have been made. She was full of warmth, able to listen and gave us each a hug as we left the classroom each day.
When I went to Sunday School at Bethel Lutheran Church, Vernice was my teacher there, too. I remember being amazed that the same lady was my teacher at two schools.
Through Church Circle, my mother (Myrtle Alderson) became friends with Vernice, and through Couples' Club, my father (George) met and became friends with Del. They spent evenings at each other's homes.
Schreiers and Aldersons both moved to Oakwood around the same time and continued their friendships. Vernice always had time to stop and talk with me when zi met her in the halls of Oakwood.
I will always remember her kindness and loving manner."
"I knew Vernice and Del for many years. How I got to know them was thru working at the Bank of Madison. When I retired my husband and I moved to Florida and of course Del and Vernice were wintering here and that was when we got together for lunch. In the summer I would visit Madison and I would call them and we would make a luncheon date. They always had a busy schedule but we managed to get our luncheon date in After Del passed on I would still call Vernice for a luncheon date but she was not driving anymore so we didn't get to lunch together. I enjoyed there company so much. They were two wonderful people and I am so happy I had the good fortune of knowing them and Ginny as well. I only met Ginny once or twice here in Flordia but she would always let me know how they were doing. She is as wonderful as her mother and she will miss her parents dearly as the rest of us will' "
"I first met Vernice and Del when they moved to Parker Lakes, as well as their wonderful daughter Ginny and her husband Dave. Vernice was such a lovely person, a real lady and always had such a kind and loving concern for all her neighbors and friends of which I am one of. I was blessed to know both her and Del. Del became a client of mine and I ended up massaging him for many many years. We became great friends and after my Dad died, he became like another Dad to me. He always gave me great advice and listened with great kindness and caring. I loved them both, what a great couple, and boy did they love each other ! I will miss them both now and yet I am so thrilled for them, they are finally back together and at peace. So long my friends until we meet again. God bless you Ginny and Dave, may you find comfort in knowing they are and always will be angels on your shoulders! Lots of love Pat"
"I knew Vernice from circle and Bethel.Lovely person"
"The Schreier home on Nakoma Road in Madison, WI, was always a great place to visit after school or on the weekend. My dear friend, Ginny, lived there with her wonderful parents. I had my first taste of Sherry in the living room. Chocolate chip cookies by Vernice were a hit with everyone, served up by this most gracious of ladies. I will always remember fondly both of my friend's folks."
"I have many wonderful memories of Del and Vernice and miss them very much. Vernice was the first friend that I made when moving to Florida as a snowbird. When I came home to the new Florida Condo one day, I was bringing two stools home in the car. Vernice stopped to introduce herself and to chat. She was a very friendly person. Later I met Del when he found out that my name is Schreiner. When they had come down to Florida for their closing and final walk through, no one met them at their Condo as planned. They finally went to the office to find out what the matter was and were told that their walk through had already been done. After some conversation it was found out that the office had confused Schreiner and Schreier. I still find it hard to write their last name when I get to where the n should be. From that day on until they were no able to travel to Florida for the winter, we were very close friends. I had them over for Thanksgiving and Christmas every year. Of course Del had to have the TV on because Green Bay usually played on Thanksgiving. They lived in 902 and I lived in the next building in 803. They always joked that it was a long way over the river and through the woods. In the summer, I traveled up to Madison to visit them and have lunch. It is only a three hour drive from Joliet where I lived at the time. The picture of Vernice for the obituary is a very lovely picture. I am sure that it was specially chosen by her daughter Ginny. Ginny and her husband Dave are also good friends of mine. Vernice is not in need of prayers now. She is happy with Del in Heaven now. I send all my love and prayers to Ginny and Dave."