Vera Ellen Simmelink Maydew of Smith Center, Kansas went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 7th, 2024.
Vera was born January 3rd, 1932, to Lawrence and Grace Simmelink in Corinth, Kansas. As an only child, Vera loved playing with other children from the neighboring family farms. In 1947 her parents bought the hardware store in Lebanon, Kansas. Despite thinking her life was coming to an end when she had to move to Lebanon, that is where she graduated from high school and met the love of her life. She received her teaching certificate from Kearney State College in the summer of 1949 and taught school in the area for over 20 years.
On May 28, 1950, she married Norris Maydew in Lebanon where she lived as a farm wife the next 74 years of her life. She raised their four children on the family farm and taught them to love her Lord and Savior. The farm welcomed many visitors and elementary school students through the years. They learned the history of farming in Kansas throughout the 1900’s.
Vera was an avid quilter and gardener. She was active in the Lebanon United Methodist Church, teaching adult Sunday School class for many years. She also became certified to teach Menninger Bible studies which allowed her to teach others how to go deeper into God’s Word. As a member of Eastern Star, she served as a State Grand Officer in 1976. She was a founding member of the Blue Stocking Bridge club which was the rural version of a ‘ladies’ night out’.
She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Grace Simmelink. She is survived by her husband Norris of Smith Center, Daughter Cindy Wagner (Bob) of Smith Center, Sons Brian (Janette) of Lebanon, Cory (Cheryl) of Valley View, TX, and Troy (Kelley) of Pratt, Kansas, 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on 6-14-2024 Friday from 5Pm until 7PM at the Rentschler Family Mortuaries in Smith Center.
Celebration Of life services will be held on Saturday 6-15-2024 at 2:00PM at the Rentschler Family Mortuaries in Smith Center.
Burial will follow in the Sweet Home Cemetery in Rural Lebanon, KS.
The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Central Community Church and be sent in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Rentschler Family Mortuaries of Smith Center.