Verlene F. Veteto

Verlene Faye Veteto was born on July 28, 1936, on the family farm outside of Republic, Kansas, the daughter of George C. & Violet I. (England) Elliott. She passed away at her home in rural Courtland, Kansas, on February 12, 2026, at the age of 89 years, 6 months, and 15 days.

Verlene was the youngest of 12 children born to George and Violet. She attended school in Republic, where she graduated from Republic High School, class of 1954.

She was united in marriage to Harold I. Veteto on June 9, 1955, when he returned from the Korean War. To this union, three children were born.

She was a member of the Ada Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School, and enjoyed singing and teaching others to sing and share their voices.

Verlene and Harold made their home on a farm south of Courtland where they farmed and raised livestock. They provided food for their family by raising chickens, hogs, and cattle. Verlene always had a large garden and raised and canned vegetables and fruits. Verlene worked beside Harold on the farm and also worked as a waitress to supplement their income.

Verlene eventually purchased the Cafe in Courtland and named it the "Breadbasket", where she worked alongside Harold. She was known for her bread baking and delicious pies, cinnamon rolls and tea rings. Catering special events was also her specialty. She developed a special recipe for BBQ sauce and after much encouragement from her patrons, she went into production of her "Smokey Sauce" and was endorsed by the Land of Kansas and distributed it throughout the state as well as shipping it to out of state customers.

After Harold passed in 1991, Verlene kept her beloved cow-calf herd for a few years, basically managing it herself. She was a substitute rural mail carrier and also worked in the dietary department at the hospital in Belleville.

Verlene’s greatest love was her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She supported her children through 4-H projects, church, piano lessons and sporting events. She then continued those traditions with all her grandchildren. Playing games with the grandchildren, including Chinese checkers and others, was one of her favorite things as long as she was winning. She also made sure she made it to see the next generations sporting events, plays, church recognitions and 4-H events. She taught her wonderful baking skills not only to her children but to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, baking with all 3 generations for fair. Playing all the “old” games with her great grandchildren was her latest past time.

She still maintained a large garden, canning and freezing her crop. She was always cooking and trying new recipes. She still continued to bake for events and family. Her love for animals continued when she picked her dog Houdini over two years ago. He stayed by her side and kept her company.

Verlene is preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold, grandson Micheal Love, sisters Lucille, Evelyn, Gertrude, Ruth, Dorothy, and Vida, brothers Irving, Melvin Ken, George, Howard, and LeeRoy.

She is survived by her children, daughter Cherie Love and her husband Tim of Belleville, son Lonnie Veteto and his wife Theresa of Belleville, daughter Denise Baumann and her husband Scott of Concordia; grandson John Love, grandson Derek Swiercinsky (Shelby) and their children Kloey, Zander, and Kiley; grandson Kevin Veteto; granddaughter Amanda Choitz (Ethan) and their children Cayden, Reagyn, Rhett, and Wrenlee; granddaughter Carlee Stensaas (Brandon) and their children Addy, Jaxson, and Peyton; sister-in-law Eleanor Elliott, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Funeral Services will be Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 am, at the Ada Lutheran Church, rural Courtland. Burial will follow at the Ada Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 19th, from 2pm – 8pm, with the family greeting friends from 6pm – 8pm, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville.

Memorials are requested to the family, to be designated at a later date, and may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Veteto family with these arrangements.