Verda Faye Ropp Swartzendruber

1933 - 2024

Posted

Verda Faye Ropp was born Dec. 6, 1933, in Kalona, the daughter of Lewis C. and Magdalena (Hershberger) Ropp. She married William Swartzendruber on Aug. 18, 1959, at Sunnyside Church in Kalona. Verda Swartzendruber passed away Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona at the age of 90.

Verda taught elementary school for four years, was an assistant cook at Iowa Mennonite School for 23 years and was a tour guide at the Mennonite Historical Museum. She graded Bible lessons for many years for prison inmates, and she worked as a volunteer at the Crowded Closet. Verda was active at Upper Deer Creek Church as a Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, Sewing Circle member, librarian, and youth sponsor. She enjoyed quilting, reading, putting puzzles together, entertaining guests, and spending time with family. 

Survivors include her four children: Susan (Grant) Stoltzfus of Harrisonburg, Virginia, Anthony (Debra) Swartzendruber of Atmore, Alabama, Mary Jo (Phil Easley) Swartzendruber of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Michael Swartzendruber of Harrisonburg, Virginia; seven grandchildren: Zachary, Hannah, and Matthew (fiancée Taylor) Stoltzfus; Christian (Mary), William (Anna), Austin (Regina) and Kaylynn Swartzendruber; five great-grandchildren: Wren, Maeve, Everett, Sedona, and Jireh; one sister: Martha Bender of Kalona; and twin brother: Vernon (Velma) Ropp of Kalona. 

Preceding Verda in death are her husband; her parents; two brothers: Ernest Ropp and Omer Ropp; seven sisters: Esther Ropp, infant Mary Jane Ropp, Ella Mae Ropp, Lydia Gingerich, Effie Baer, Ada Gingerich, and Edith Helmuth; three sisters-in-law: Ardith Ropp, Mary Elva Ropp, and Pearl Ropp; and five brothers-in-law: Alvin Gingerich, Ivo Gingerich, Harold Baer, James Bender, and Paul Helmuth. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Upper Deer Creek Mennonite Church in rural Wellman and will be live-streamed. Pastor Elmer Miller will officiate. Graveside service and burial will be at 9:30 a.m., at Upper Deer Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, where the family will greet friends from 4-7 p.m., at Yoder Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. Memorial contributions may be made to Upper Deer Creek Church or Pleasantview Home.