Kaisand, Vernadine Marie – 1927-2020

ACHTEMIER, BEUKEMA, KAISAND, MERTZ, MURPHY, PARKER

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:29

Vernadine Marie Kaisand left her earthly body Sunday, May 3, 2020, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell, at the age of 92.
Vernadine was born May 8, 1927, to Ralph and Dora (Achtemier) Parker near Melbourne. She is the youngest of four children. She graduated from Kellogg High School in 1944 and later worked at the Kellogg Locker Plant. Vernadine was united in marriage to Emery Kaisand Jan. 26, 1947, at the Kellogg Methodist Church. Emery preceded her in death June 30, 2011.
She has been a member of the Newburg-Chester Church for all of her married life and was part of their women’s fellowship group. Vernadine served as historian for the Jasper County Women’s Committee and volunteered for the Grinnell Hospital Auxiliary for 25 years. She also was part of the “Ag in a Classroom” program, the Jasper County Porkettes and the Greengrove Club. She served with the Newburg Progress Club and on the Second Mile Board in Grinnell. She belonged to the Kellogg Garden Club, Barrett Homemaker’s Club (Farm Bureau affiliated) and the Iowa Master Farm Homemaker’s Guild in which she was inducted in 1996.
She has enjoyed traveling with Grinnell State Bank’s Heritage Club and made a scrapbook for each of their trips. In 1994, Vernadine compiled a cookbook from favorite recipes of Kaisand and Parker families, her Newburg Church family, neighbors and friends. The many meals and treats she has made and shared over the years reflect her generosity as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
Her memory is honored by four children and spouses, Donald and Carol D. Kaisand of Kellogg, Dennis and Carol L. Kaisand of Newton, Dorothy and Roger Mertz of Goshen, Ind., and David and Denise Kaisand of Kellogg. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren plus their spouses; 33 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her beloved husband Emery, she was preceded in the death of her parents; and three siblings and their spouses, Raymond (Doris) Parker of Kellogg, Ellen (Richard) Beukema of Mitchellville and Leota (Fred) Murphy of Mesa, Ariz. Emery’s family has always played a big role in the family also.
A family prayer time was held Saturday at Smith Funeral Home followed by a private family graveside service at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Pastor Matt Olson from Newburg Church officiated. Tributes, stories, memories and pictures can be shared with family via Facebook or through the funeral home. A public celebration of Vernadine’s life will be planned at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Newburg-Chester Church, the Newburg Scholarship Fund, the Kellogg Historical Museum or the Iowa Homemaker’s Guild and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, please feel free to give to someone in need in Vernadine’s memory.
Source: Newton Daily News; May 12/15, 2020