Verna Stauffer Allebach

The life of Verna Allebach, beloved mother, ended peacefully on Saturday, April 9, 2016, surrounded by her family. Verna was born to Emma Slotter Stauffer and Ambrose Stauffer on October 17, 1925, in Souderton, Pennsylvania. One of 16 children, Verna was the second youngest child and the last surviving member of her immediate family. At 10 years of age, her mother passed away and she went to live with her sister Hannah and family in a turn of the 18th century farm in the Souderton, Pennsylvania, area. While living with her sister, she was expected to contribute to the household and went to work at the Landis Market, butchering chickens and preparing chickens and eggs to take to the Philadelphia Farmer’s Market. It was at the Philadelphia Farmer’s Market where she met Clyde Allebach at age 15. They courted until she was 19 years of age, and were married on December 24, 1944. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Menahga, Minnesota, using gas rations that people donated to them during the time of ration stamps and WWII. They made rural Menahga their home while they farmed and started Sunday school and Bible school as part of establishing a Mennonite Church. Verna served the community in many capacities. She loved children and was a natural-born educator as a Sunday school teacher. She was also known for making and serving delicious meals from their garden when entertaining guests and for family. Verna was proud of being able to complete a formal education through grade 11. She was in her 40’s when she fulfilled her dream of completing her GED. She began working as a Wadena County Home Health Aide and then began at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in 1973 as a sauna bath aid. Upon completion of a Food Service Supervisor Course from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, she became the food service supervisor at Green Pine Acres. After working in this capacity for 17 rewarding years, she joined Clyde in retirement. During retirement, Clyde and Verna enjoyed road trips, visiting family, and attending grandchildren’s activities. She and Clyde were also avid bird watchers and gardeners. It was during early retirement that Verna designed and hand stitched a unique quilt for each grandchild’s high school graduation, planning this in advance to ensure each grandchild would receive a quilt. Her youngest grandchild, Hannah Allebach, graduated from high school in May 2015 and received the last quilt of 18. Verna will be remembered for her quilts, delectable pies, exquisite cooking, unwavering strength, wit and humor, and unending devotion to God, her husband and family. She lived a life that mirrored her deep faith and belief in Jesus Christ as personal Savior, being a faithful servant to the end. Her gentleness, honesty, and unconditional love for others were exemplary of her faith. Verna is survived by her children, Lucy Oliver (Lynn), Chicago, IL; Emily Dwyer, Uganda; Eva Allebach, Tempe, AZ; Rudy Allebach (Suzette Meakins), Minnetonka, MN; Betty Kangas (Bob), rural Menahga; Rodney (Linda), Otsego, MN; Beverly Allebach, Chicago, IL; Robert (Pam), Menahga; Robin Allebach, Moorhead, MN; Roxanne Covert (Kevin), rural Willmar, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Clyde Allebach, who passed away March 24, 2016, a son Lowell (Richard), and a great granddaughter Isabella Phoebe Garlich. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held at the First English Lutheran Church in Menahga, at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 16th. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to Wevley Funeral Home. In honor of the love and marriage Clyde and Verna shared for 71 years, memorials are preferred to Mennonite Central Committee, MCC U.S., 21 South 12th Street, PO Box 500, Akron, PA, 17501-0500, or: www.mcc.org. Obituary also at www.wevleyfuneralhome.com The family would like to extend their gratitude for the skilled and loving care provided her by the staff of the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home.