Verna H. Wilde

Verna H. Wilde, 101, of Lansdale, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026, after many years of navigating and beating Congestive Heart Failure. She was still relatively active, living at Dock Woods and she had attended her Church three weeks prior to her passing.

Born October 15, 1924 in Pitman, PA, she was a daughter to the late Clarence Wayne and Katie Elizabeth (Deitrich) Herring, Pitman, PA. She grew up on the family farm, and she helped in the fields, with the animals, and the business. Verna attended a one-room school house in Pitman: her mother had named her after a beloved teacher from the school, Verna Miller. As a young girl she was involved with the 4-H Club, where she served as chapter president.

Verna left the Pitman valley at the age of 16 to attend Harrisburg Business School, and moved to Philadelphia for work at the age of 18. She met her husband at Olney Lutheran Church and married Kenneth Eldon Wilde at the age of 20. The couple raised their three daughters in Ambler, PA.

For many years, Verna worked as a dedicated business administrator and accountant, and retired from a small chemical company, E. W. Kauffman after almost 30 years. Starting with two people, including Verna, the company was sold years later to BASF. Her colleagues and clients appreciated her sharp mind and her kindness and precision.

She worked as an accountant in her daughter's business, Edifice Rx, until the age of 92.

Beyond her professional life, Verna had great creative talent and studied interior design at Moore College of Art, Philadelphia. Verna was a remarkable seamstress, including designing and sewing dresses, coats, draperies, upholstering furniture, valences, headboards, etc. Her work reflected patience, strong creativity and love of beauty.

She was actively and faithfully involved in her churches, including Faith Lutheran Church in Montgomeryville, PA, as well as Zion Lutheran Church, Flourtown, PA, serving as Council Secretary for many years, and a distant member, St. James Church in Pitman, PA.

She is survived by her children, Donna Lynn Barnauskas (Richard) of Hatfield, Kathy Elizabeth Wilde (Late James E. Simpson, Jr., VMD) of Lafayette Hill, and Linda Christine Frame (Gary Parks) of Maricopa, AZ.

Verna is predeceased by a beloved oldest brother, Paul, and four very close sisters; Dorothy, Irene, (Verna), Anna, and Rhita. The Herring family can be traced back to 1750 when Gorg Herring (1710-1778) (Görg Höring), native of Lorraine (Alscace-Lorraine/Germany), arrived Philadelphia on ship "Brothers", Aug. 24, 1750, with his two sons.

Relatives and friends may call Monday, February 9, 2026; Faith Lutheran Church Montgomeryville, 615 Cowpath Road, Lansdale, PA 19446; 11 AM Visitation, 12 PM Service, 1 PM Food.

A second visitation will take place at St. James Lutheran Church, 153 Main Road, Pitman, PA 17964: 11 AM Visitation, 12 PM Service, followed by burial of urn at St Paul's Church, Pitman, and 1 PM Lunch at St James Lutheran Church.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to her beloved church, Faith Lutheran Church, 615 Cowpath Road (PO Box 182) Montgomeryville, PA 18936, Attention, Janet Hill, or to St. James Lutheran Church, 153 Main Rd., Pitman, PA 17964, Attention: Memorial Fund.

Arrangements are by the Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale.