Vernette J. Mesenbrink

Vernette J. Mesenbrink, age 81, passed peacefully, April 13, 2014, at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein, Iowa, following a lengthy illness. She spent her final days surrounded by her family members. Vernette June Kollbaum was the oldest of four born to Matthew and Melinda (Hein) Kollbaum, of Ida Grove, on June 23, 1932. She was baptized and confirmed on December 23, 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ida Grove. She attended school until the 8th grade, at which time she went to work to help the family. The country school she attended still stands at Moorehead Park in Ida Grove, where she accompanied many of her grandchildren for a day of learning. In 1970, Vernette attained a GED at Galva High School. It meant a lot to her to have a diploma before any of her children. Vernette met Alfred (Bud) C. Schmidt in Ida Grove and were married February 10, 1952. They were blessed with four children: Cynthia Ann, Cathleen Kay, Carey Lee, and Casey Ray. She was an active member of her Church, clubs and organizations she belonged to through the years by holding many offices and being a leader. Some of those included Schaller Women’s Club, St Paul Lutheran Women’s Guild, on which she was a charter member, Happy Hearts 4-H Club, Alta Golf & Country Club and the Schaller Red Hats, plus numerous card clubs and dancing clubs. One memorable event was the Garden & Flower Show, at Pop Corn Days, she chaired for many years. She maintained large vegetable and flower gardens, which she shared with family and friends. Some of her produce were judged at the Sac County fair, each year. She loved to oil paint and had a ceramics shop in her home. Many children in the area have a nativity set they painted during VBS from her shop. She also ran a custom drapery business and did cake decorating. After Bud’s passing in 1983, she continued to farm with the help of her two sons. Through example and hard work ethics, including raising and butchering countless chickens, Vernette instilled in her children a strong work ethic, strong faith and firm moral values. Holidays and birthdays were a special time for her, to play with her grandchildren, at which she will be sorely missed. Her family will always remember the apple pancakes and cinnamon rolls, she enjoyed making for them. On January 8, 1994, she married Glenn Mesenbrink, which enlarged her family with two step-daughters, Deb and Susan. They bought a home in Bella Vista, Arkansas and spent many winters there. The two of them loved to travel, use their camper, play cribbage and bridge, golf and go dancing. Vernette entered the Holstein Good Samaritan Home in August of 2012. While there, she was crowned Valentine’s Queen and she and Glenn rode in the High School Homecoming Parade as representatives of the Good Samaritan Home. She received excellent care there. Vernette will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 20 years, Glenn Mesenbrink; children: Cindy (Randy) Jacobson of Storm Lake; Cathy (Jim) McDonough of Schaller; Carey (Rhonda) Schmidt of Schaller; Casey Schmidt of Schaller; step-daughter, Deb (Wendell) Morton of Littleton, Colorado; and Susan (Lee) Trant of Crescent, Iowa; grandchildren: Mindy (Jason) Stoltzfus, Brandon (Rachel) Jacobson, Michele Ronfeldt, Melanie (Adam) Pyle, Mike (Mallory) McDonough, Mark McDonough and fiancée Samantha Roberts, Beth Schmidt and fiancée Mike Smith, Lisa Schmidt, Lexi Schmidt; step granddaughter, Sarah Trant; great-grandchildren: Kayla, Tasha, Austin, Cole and Levi Ronfeldt, Kaitlyn Currie, Courtney, Kallie, Cari and Cody Pyle, Carson Wendel, Ryder McDonough, Jacee McDonough, Xander, Zach, Zara, Zoe and Zina Stoltzfus, Ty Jacobson, and baby girl Jacobson on the way; brothers: Merlin (Colleen) Kollbaum of Anthon; Verdene (Linda) Kollbaum of Ida Grove; sister, Linda Lou (Don) Waderich of Humboldt; brothers-in-law: Don (Darlene) Schmidt of Holstein; Roger Schmidt of Battle Creek; sisters-in-law: Arlene Babcock of Galva; and Ruth Schmidt of Ida Grove; many nieces and nephews; extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud Schmidt; her parents; and brothers-in-law: Dean Schmidt, DeWayne Schmidt and Lloyd Babcock. Memorials can be directed to FDA in memory of Vernette for research.

Vernette J. Mesenbrink

June 23, 1932 - April 13, 2014