Verona Lechler, 78, of Bismarck, ND passed away on March 1, 2019, peacefully at her home in Touchmark with her family by her side.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, 801 1st St SE, Mandan, ND.
A vigil service will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday March 4, 2019 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Family will be greeting visitors starting at 6pm. Â Cremation has taken place.
Verona was born March 2, 1940 in Williston, ND. Verona graduated from NDSU and received degrees in Home Economics and Physical Education. She began her career teaching and coaching in Beach, ND. There is where she met and married her husband, Gerald Lechler. They made their home on a farm North of Beach and together had three children Pam, Paul, and Patty.
After teaching, Verona worked as the coordinator for the Child Care Nutrition Program, Student Teacher Supervisor for NDSU, Home Economist for Golden Valley County, and in Parent Education for NDSU. She later moved to Bismarck and had several education related jobs. She retired while working as the Family Recourse Center Coordinator for NDSU in Morton County but continued to substitute for the Bismarck School System.
Verona loved gardening, canning, and sewing as well as being active in numerous social and community groups. She was a lifelong learner and teacher and loved to share her knowledge, faith and love for Jesus with old and young alike. Above all, spending time with her children and grandchildren was her priority. She attended every event possible and taught them so many life lessons. She loved to travel and took every opportunity to see family and friends all around the states, as they were very important to her. She will be remembered for her positivity, peacemaking, and zest for life.
She is survived by two daughters, Pam (Dean) Mastel and their children, Becky and Katie Mastel and Patty (Duane) Steffes and their children, Matthew, Kayla, Eric and Mia Steffes; one son, Paul (Janell Dschaak) Lechler and their children, Landon and Lateasha Lechler and Jase, Trey and Cade Dschaak. Two sisters, Madeline (Gene) Austby, Karen (Warren Dietrich) Wegley; four brothers, Gene Wegley, Myron (Cheryl) Wegley, Mike (Mary) Wegley, Keith Wegley and sister-in-law Linda Wegley and Vicki Wegley and many nieces and nephews.
Verona was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Lechler, her parents, Charles and Nancy Wegley and Verda and Merlin Cathers, brother Steve Wegley, and her sister and brother-in-law Charlotte and Weldon Heddrick.
In lieu of flowers, we prefer donations to be made to the Alzheimer's Association for research.
We would also like to thank the Touchmark caregivers that loved and cared for Mom during her time there.
