Veronica "Roni" Kinzer

Our sunshine has become less bright — Veronica "Roni " Kinzer, 37, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away of natural causes at her parents' home on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015.

Veronica Renee Kinzer was born Dec. 13, 1977,  in San Diego, Calif., to Daniel and Linda (Russell) Kinzer while her Dad was serving in the U.S. Navy. After living briefly (1981-83) in Raleigh, N.C., her family moved back to the Rochester area. Roni attended Rochester Public Schools and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1996.

She lived at homes managed by Bear Creek Services and REM, both in Rochester, and was currently living at Howry House in Rochester. Her dad, Dan, was a longtime City of Rochester employee, and her mom, Linda, was a longtime Mayo Clinic employee.

Roni was an amazing individual who encouraged joy, laughter and a perpetual sense of youth into everyone she met. She was gifted with a remarkable ability to "read" people and was always first to give a hug. Her innocent persistence while interacting with friends and family always prompted a playful response and exuberance. She had recently begun to attend Sunday services at Evangel Church in Rochester and enjoyed all kinds of social outings, such as bowling, softball, campfires and swimming. She loved singing, movies, going out to eat (Subway!), family gatherings, playfully teasing her numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and always managed to have room for her favorite dessert.

She is survived by her parents, Dan and Linda of Rochester; her brother Chad and nephew, Jacob of Rochester; grandmothers, Katherine Russell of Stewartville and Jo Ann Kinzer of Rochester;  aunts, Gail Keller and Karen Smith both of Rochester; Brenda (Jay) Button of Dover, Rebecca (David) Nagorski of San Diego, Calif., and Alice(Lee) Wetzel of Chesapeake, Va.; uncles, Michael Russell and William (Joe) Russell, both of Rochester; John (Mary) Kinzer of Ironton, Minn., and cousins, too numerous to mention, who now grieve the loss of one very dear cousin. This list would not be complete without a loving acknowledgment of her close friend and caregiver Kerry ("Ker-Bear") Olafson of Rochester. Her grandfathers William Russell and the Rev. Don Kinzer preceded her in death.
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A funeral service for Roni will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Bethany Methodist Church in Rochester, with the Rev. Phil Strom officiating. A committal service and burial will follow at High Forest Cemetery in High Forest. A time of visitation will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Bethany Church and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning.
  
Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. www.griffin-gray.com.