Vernice M. Kowalke

Vernice Marie (Ordorff) Kowalke of Buffalo passed away on Monday, May 20th, 2024 at her residence.
She was born on October 18, 1934 at home in Buffalo.
She was baptized at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church by Pastor W.C. Nichols.
Vernice was confirmed in the Christian faith on March 21, 1948 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church by Pastor E.R. Berwald.
She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1952.
On September 17, 1955, Vernice Ordorff and William "Bill" Kowalke were joined in holy marriage at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church by Pastor E.R. Berwald.
Verncie was employed at Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association for 38 years. She retired from her Administrative Assistant position in 1990.
Vernice was a devoted wife and enjoyed traveling, fishing and hunting with her late husband Bill. They enjoyed entertaining family and friends. They especially enjoyed watching their nieces and nephews and their families grow.
Vernice was a faithful member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. She had served as a Sunday School teacher, a summer Bible School teacher, worked with the Ladies Aid, and the Jesus Cares Ministry program at Immanuel. She was a member of the Board of Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Lutheran Brotherhood Branch Publicity Officer, served on the board and as a volunteer at the Wise Penny Thrift Shop in Buffalo.
Survived by: Caregiver nieces and nephew Brenda DesMarais, Brent and Geri Kowalke; sister: Marlys (James) Schermer; brother-in-law: James (Darlene) Kowalke; sister-in-law: Karen Klauson; brother-in-law: Kim (Liz) Kowalke; many loving nieces and nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her husband Bill in 2015, her parents George and Florence (Mosher) Ordorff, sisters Beverly (Ordorff) Kowalke and Lucille (Ordorff) Weldele, father-in-law Henry Kowalke, mother-in-law Mayta (Schmidt) Kowalke, brother-in-law Jerome Weldele, brother-in-law Gary Klauson, nephew John Weldele and by a nephew-in-law Randy DesMarais.
Funeral Services for Vernice Marie (Ordorff) Kowalke will be held on Tuesday, May 28th at 11:30 A.M. at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church-Pelican Lake. Pastor Christopher Oehlke will officiate.
Interment will follow at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Cemetery.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 28th from 9:30-11:30 A.M. AT THE CHURCH
Honorary Casket Bearers: Brent Kowalke, Chad Rentz, Bruce Stensby, Joe Landowski, Ryan Laudenbach and Jayden Long.
Casket Bearers will be Darren Fischer-Grand Nephew-in-law, Justin Klauson-Godson, Matthew DesMarais-Godson, Bruce Schmidt-Godson, Kyle Kowalke-Nephew and Michael DesMarais-Grand Nephew.