Vernell M. (Herman) Esch - 1942-2011

HERMAN, GROTEGUT, ESCH, MARTIN, MCGREAL, GRABENBAUER, BLACKWELL, JENKINS, WESSELS, MOHR

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 2/20/2011 at 18:36:49

SOURCE: Leonard and Leonard Muller Funeral Home obituary February 20, 2011
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Vernell Mary Esch, age 68, of Strawberry Point, Iowa joined Christ on Sunday, February 20, 2011, when she died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family after a brave battle with cancer. She was born on February 22, 1942 to Elmer and Mary (Grotegut) Herman. She was the youngest of four children. She was raised on a farm in rural Waukon, Iowa. She was confirmed at the Zalmona Presbyterian church in Waukon, Iowa.
Vernell attended a small country school and in 1959 graduated from the Waukon High School. She moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she worked as a secretary at Prudential Insurance Company. It was in Cedar Rapids that she met Jan Esch.

They were married on July 23, 1961 at Zalmona. Jan and Vernell have spent nearly 50 years living and farming north of Strawberry Point where they raised beef cattle. Vernell was a wonderful, loving mother and grandmother to her five children and 16 grandchildren. She loved her family and her home, spending time gardening, cooking and canning, quilting, fishing, hunting mushrooms, and reading. One of her special talents was her ability to find a four leaf clover for every special family event. Spending time with Jan out on the farm defined her life, as did her strong passion for her beloved grandchildren. She was greatly anticipating the birth of her 17th grandchild to Kim and Chad in early April. Vernell had a strong Christian faith and was an active, long time member of Emmauel Lutheran Church and most recently of Mission in Christ in Strawberry Point, Iowa, participating in Bible study and serving through the church women's organization.

Vernell was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Mary Herman; her brother and sister-in-law, Ruben and Helen Herman; and a sister-in-law, Beverly Wessels.

Survivors include her husband, Jan Esch of Strawberry Point, Iowa; their 5 children, Carrie (John) Martin of Olympia, Washington, Kristi (Peter) McGreal of Elkader, Iowa, Kellie (Cory) Grabenbauer of North Liberty, Iowa, Dr. Kevin (Staci) Esch of Ames, Iowa, and Kim (Chad) Blackwell of North Liberty, Iowa; 16 grandchildren, Peter, Chris, Benjamin, and Lisha Martin, Jacob, Tim, Joe, Maria, Sam, and Dan McGreal, Ilsa, Ayla, and Elias Grabenbauer, Gabriella and Eva Esch and Isaac Blackwell; one brother, Nyles (Ruby) Herman of Waukon, Iowa; 1 sister, Marian (Hanley) Jenkins of West Des Moines, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Harold Wessels of Strawberry Point, Iowa, dear family friends, Greg and Joan Mohr of Spirit Lake, Iowa and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

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