Vera Ellen Garber

Vera Ellen Garber died Jan. 21, 2015 in Woodburn.

Born in Hubbard to Dan and Ella Lais, Vera lived her entire life in the Hubbard/Whiskey Hill area. She was the 13th of 14 children and gained a great work ethic from growing up during the Depression. Vera attended Whiskey Hill and Ninety-One School and spent some time at Hesston Academy, in Kansas, as a teenager. As a youth, Vera picked berries and hops, and worked with her siblings on the farm.

Vera married John Garber in 1946 in Hubbard and they were married 59 1/2 years before John's passing in 2006. They had eight children: Phyllis Early, of Virginia, Paul, of Woodburn, John, of Aurora, Mary Garber-Saleh, of Connecticut, David, of Woodburn, Joy Yoder, of Lebanon, Ruth Claassen, of New Mexico and Richard, of Idaho.

Besides her beautiful smile, one of Vera's most enduring characteristics was the giving of her time and service to others. She also greatly enjoyed her 26 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Vera lived her life as a Christian and loved the Lord. She was a lifetime member of Zion Mennonite Church. We rejoice she has joined her family and loved ones in heaven.

A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Jan. 25 at Zion Mennonite Church, 6124 S. Whiskey Hill Road, in Hubbard. A graveside service will follow.

Woodburn Independent, [Woodburn OR], Jan 28, 2015

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via sister Orpha D. Fisher (born Lais) by SmartCopy: May 5 2015, 21:47:12 UTC