Vernita A. Buendorf, 70, of Walters, died Monday, March 2, 2009, at the Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea, after a courageous journey with cancer. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at United Lutheran Church in Walters. The Rev. Don Rose will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place in Rice Lake Cemetery in Foster Township, Faribault County, on Thursday morning at 9 a.m. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family with arrangements.
Vernita A. Buendorf was born Dec. 14, 1938, the daughter of John H. and Anita (Miller) Janzig in Wells. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Following graduation from Kiester High School in 1956, Vernita attended the Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis and graduated in 1959. After graduation she began work as a nurse at the hospital in Wells and continued there for several years. Vernita was united in marriage to Clifford Buendorf on Oct. 15, 1959, in Wells, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. The two enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage on their family farm. In that time, Vernita supported Clifford in the farming efforts, raised three boys, and made their house a home. As an active member of United Lutheran Church of Walters, she served in a variety of ways including the church council, altar guild, WELCA, Sunday school teacher, confirmation mentor, interfaith caregivers, circle, and bible study. Her devotion and faith were ceaseless. It was this same faith that allowed her a peaceful journey to heaven. After raising her family, Vernita returned to a role of care giving and work at the Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea. She was recognized as CNA of the Year in 2001. She worked there for 10 years and retired in January 2004. In retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, being active at church and quilting with her friends. Vernita was a woman who paid attention to details and this gift served her well in many of her pastimes. She took great pleasure in making an occasion of any event and many would agree she was a fabulous cook. She enjoyed gardening and reaping the rewards of a harvest. She was also a gifted quilter and stitched many quilts with her careful, loving stitches. Vernita’s solid faith, strong work ethic, thoughtful and caring ways, and attention to family will remain her legacy to those who were touched by her. She will be dearly missed as a wife, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend.
Loving family members include her husband, Clifford, of Walters; three sons: Clyde Buendorf and wife Diane Heaney, Claire and Jack of Kiester, David and wife Carol Buendorf, Payton and Lauren of Maple Grove, Dale and wife Paula Buendorf, Mason and Henry of Albert Lea; mother-in-law: Carma Buendorf of St. Luke’s in Blue Earth; one sister, Karen (Donald) Jensen of Kiester; two brothers: Jerry (Lori) Janzig of Alden, Jonathan (Tami) Janzig of Wells; brother-in-law: Dan (Sandra) Buendorf of St. Peter; two sisters-in-law: Clarine (Larry) Elvebak of Kiester, and Mary Speener of Cottage Grove; along with several nieces and nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Janzig III; father-in-law, Henry Buendorf; niece, Rhonda (Jensen) Mattick; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Hochrieter.