Verna Jane Burmeister

Verna Jane (Froemming) Burmeister

July 26, 1921 – February 7, 2016

Verna was born in Milwaukee on July 26, 1921, the daughter of Louis and Della (Buss) Froemming. She began her life in Christ with her baptism on August 28, 1921 at Saint Stevens Evangelical Church. She was confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in May 1935. Her confirmation verse (Colossians 2: 6 -7) well describes her life “rooted and built up in faith through Christ” and “over-flowing with thankfulness.” Verna was a member of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church for over fifty years and served there in numerous capacities. Throughout her life, she was content with her circumstances and blessings, both small and great, thanking God in all things.

Verna graduated from South Division High School in 1939. She was engaged to George Burmeister on February 7, 1942 leading him to subsequently complete his confirmation at Faith Lutheran Church on Ash Wednesday (February 18) of that year. Verna and George married on September 5, 1942 in San Angelo, Texas while George was serving in the Army-Air Corp.

Verna was a homemaker while raising her three sons; Gary, Glen and Gregg. Following George’s untimely death at the age of 47 from primary brain cancer. Verna learned to drive and support herself by working for the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles in the auto license division where she served for twenty-two years retiring at the age of seventy-three. Throughout her life, Verna enjoyed many happy celebrations and travel experiences with her loving family.

Verna chose to live at the Village at Manor Park since 2002 where she first lived in an independent living apartment. When she first started experiencing signs of dementia, she moved to assisted living and eventually to full time nursing care for the past two years. Verna was always the quiet example of gentle faith, humbly doing things for others with love and never seeking recognition. That said, she was recognized for winning several senior spelling bees, and aptly played scrabble, Canasta and other games, and sang many old songs along with those gathered for activity nights at Village of Manor Park.

Verna is survived by her three sons, Gary (Sandra), Glen (Jan) and Gregg (Barbara); seven grandchildren, Bradley, Brian, Chad, Todd, Lindsey, Scott and Steven as well as twelve great-grandchildren. Verna’s family and friends will miss her and are grateful for her life of faith. She was preceded in death by her husband George, her brother Milton Froemming and her sister Eunice Gradall.

Verna’s Confirmation Verse, Colossians 2:6-7 (New American Standard Bible):
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

THE FAMILY RESPECTFULLY ASKS THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEND FLOWERS TO INSTEAD SEND MEMORIALS TO: THE LUTHERAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY LEAGUE(LWML), AN ORGANIZATION OF WHICH VERNA WAS A LONGTIME MEMBER, AND WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO VERNA’S HEART. THE FAMILY DEEPLY APPRECIATES ANY GIFTS GIVEN TO LWML IN VERNA’S HONOR.