Veronica Kiel

Through a life of hardship, trial and loss, Veronica Kiel lived her life caring for others with a heart matched by love. From meager beginnings, she found contentment and peace in her faith and in the family who brought her great joy. She will be dearly missed and remembered by those she leaves behind.

A period of economic prosperity, the roaring 20s brought many changes to America. Women won the right to vote, and prohibition took effect, making way for bootleggers and gangland mobs alike. Families tuned their radios to the first broadcast baseball game, and Louie Armstrong was the King of Jazz. Nestled in the quiet coal mining community of DuBois, Pennsylvania in Clearfield County, Joseph and Anna (Tumosa) Strouse were experiencing changes of their own when on May 16, 1920 they welcomed the birth of a baby girl they lovingly named Veronica. One of seven children, Veronica’s father supported his large family laboring in the local coal mines while her mother had her hands full looking after her children as a homemaker.

While living meagerly on coal mining wages, Veronica and her family made do with what they had. Hand-me-downs were a mainstay in their home while pots and pans served as toys for the children, especially during the hardships of the Great Depression. While every American family was touched by it‘s effects, Veronica’s own family was especially poor during this time. As a young girl growing up through her formative years, Veronica held fast to her hopes and dreams. Amidst the struggles, Veronica’s family remained close and worked together through these trying times.

At the young age of 17, Veronica married a local boy named Melvin Kiel. Melvin swept Veronica off her feet, and the two exchanged vows of marriage on November 27, 1937. Before long the young couple welcomed the blessing of two sons, Richard and Melvin “Bud”, who Veronica loved dearly. Faced with the news that Melvin was being sent off to serve in World War II, Veronica was left alone to keep up the house and raise her two boys. It was difficult living on a mere $100 per month, even for the times, but Veronica always found a way to provide and was good at stretching a dollar.

With the war’s end, servicemen began returning home to their sweethearts and families, and Veronica was overjoyed to have Melvin back home. Seeking job stability, Veronica and Melvin packed up their boys and belongings and headed for Michigan, settling in Lansing. Melvin took on work as a mechanic, and life began to improve greatly for them. In fact, Veronica was thrilled when they splurged and purchased their first television set. The Burns and Allen Show became her all time favorite.

Although Veronica and her family settled into life in Michigan well, there remained in their hearts a strong bond and longing for the people and places in Pennsylvania. Whenever they had the opportunity, family road trips were taken to eagerly visit family and friends back home. Veronica kept busy raising her family and making a wonderful and loving home for them. She kept an immaculate house and enjoyed family get-togethers and holidays shared there. Devout in her Catholic faith, Veronica was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and rarely, if ever, missed Mass. She was very faithful to her church, serving when called upon with her caring demeanor.

A slight woman in stature, Veronica had a big heart and displayed her unwavering faith through her genuine care and concern for others. She loved to be surrounded by family and friends, and everyone loved her dry sense of humor and wit. It was truly a joy to be in her company. Known for making hundreds of Christmas cookies each year, Veronica shared a wealth of them with her friends and church family.

Veronica suffered greatly when Melvin sadly died on May 29, 1979. Following his death, she moved back to Pennsylvania with her son, Bud,for a number of years where she found comfort and love in the place she called home. After her son Richard bought the local laundromat in St. Johns, she and Bud moved back to Michigan and she began washing clothes. She worked there for ten years. While there she made many friends and blessed many with her wit and beautiful smile. Her life experiences had taught Veronica much, and she came to be a woman that others turned to. Well respected and admired, she always had wise words to share when asked.

As the years began to take their toll on Veronica, her eldest son Bud lived with her and took care of her until his death. It continued to be a difficult time for Veronica without her husband, but with the eventual death of both her sons she remained strong. At the age of 89, Veronica I. Kiel sadly died on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

Veronica is survived by her grandchildren, Richard Kiel and Barry (Shannon) Kiel, all of St. Johns, Michigan and Kristin (Doug) Richardson of El Reno, Okalahoma; 13 great-grandchildren: Michael Sillman, Nicholas Hof, Erin, Brian, Ben and Lily Richardson, Emily, Connor, Duncan, John, Brendan, Aubrey and Evan Kiel. In addition to her husband and two sons, she was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Reasinger, and five brothers: Joseph, Anthony, Francis, Vincent and Paul Strouse and her daughter-in-law, Delores Weatherwax.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date at St. Joseph Catholic Church in DuBois, Pennsylvania. Her family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Friday, March 26, 2010 at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 East Cass Street in St. Johns. The Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 PM Friday evening. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of memorial contributions to the Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor. To learn more about Veronica, view her Life Story Film, submit a favorite photo or memory or to sign her online guest book, please visit her personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/57324.