I first met Vera in Kankakee, IL. It was in 1968.  Vera and my bride to be, Mary, met me at the railroad station meeting my train from Chicago.  This was my first trip to Danforth and the Lubben farm.  I had caught a train in North Chicago which is just outside the Great Lakes Navel Training Center.  This commuter train deposited me in the main terminal in downtown Chicago where I caught the Illinois Central train to Kankakee.

Vera met me with a smile and friendly hello.  She always had a smile and friendly hello for me.  She was just that kind of person.

She had a wonderful laugh, very distinctive.  I loved to hear Vera laugh.  And what a wonderful smile.

Vera was always busy.  She raised a family of three kids on the farm so she always had something to do.   Whenever I visited the farm she was always busy gathering eggs, fixing meals or something to help out.  I guess that is where Mary got her energy. 

If anyone ever walked with the Holy Spirit, Vera did.  She had a genuine love for all people.  Very forgiving, always concerned about others.  She was the kind of person  we all should be.

I used to have a black suit.  I say used to have.  I left the suit at the Lubben house when I went to Guam in 1969.   When I came home I looked for the suit but it was gone. When I asked about the whereabouts of the suit Vera confessed she had given it away.  Thinking it belonged to their son, John, she knew he would never wear it again so she gave it to one of the organizations that would provide for the needy.  I never would have worn it either, it was out of style by this time.  It became quit a joke as every time I saw her from then on I always made it a point to ask her about that suit.  Once in a while she would beat me to mentioning it.  It became quite a game between the two of us.

Grandpa Lubben, Vera’s father-in-law was living in Danforth at the time.  He was frequently at the house when I visited.  He was quite aged then and Vera had the responsibility of looking out for him.  She was patient. 

She loved children, teaching and reading to them.  She would always take time for our children.  She would let them help gather eggs all the while carrying on a lively conversation.  Frequently she would come out with that wonderful laugh. 

The last time I ever saw Vera cancer had taken it’s toll,  she was bent over in a wheel chair.  She was still very much aware, but just a shell of the woman we all loved.  We miss her still.