Wangler, OP, Sister Verona, born Florence Caroline Wangler in West Branch, MI died on May 7. She was 100 years old and a Dominican Sister for 81 years.
Sister Verona received a BS from Siena Heights College, an MA from Aquinas in Religious Education and an MA in Administration from Notre Dame.
Sister Verona served as a teacher at St. Joseph, Weare; St. Norbert, Munger; St. Mary, Gaylord, Catholic Central, Alpena; St. Michael, Maple Grove; Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn; Marywood, St. Thomas, Immaculate Heart, and St. Stephen in Grand Rapids. In several of her missions she served as principal.
Sister Verona’s next ministry was as Director of Education for the Dominican Congregation. She was enthusiastic about this role. She wrote: “To help a person – child, youth or adult – actualize his or her full human potential is both an awesome and glorious responsibility.” She continued this focus on her next mission as Director of Religious Affairs at Grand Rapids Catholic Central and then as Associate Director of Emeritus College.
Later another field opened for her, when she became a pastoral associate and director of evangelization at St. Pius X, Grandville. For the next twenty years the people of St. Pius benefited from her competent work ethic and generous spirit. It was during these years that Sister Verona suffered the loss of her beloved younger sister who was also a member of the congregation. Sister Michelle Wangler died April 7, 1994.
Her gift and source of happiness was in relationships. One of her admirers remarked: “Sr. Verona is someone you can tell God hand delivered to this planet. She is kind and gentle and inspired me to seek the Lord.” A college student noted their relationship was one of equals and friends with the same “quirky sense of humor” in spite of the 74-year age gap between them.
Sister Verona was the embodiment of that joyful dedicated spirit she admired long ago as a child in West Branch when she came to know the Dominican Sisters. We who knew and loved her will miss her even as we celebrate her long and grace filled life.
Sister Verona is survived by her sister Veronica (Vera) Gildner, Cheboygan, MI; nieces, nephews, many friends and members of her Dominican Community.
Sister Verona will repose at Marywood Chapel of the Word, 111 Lakeside Dr NE, with visitation on Thursday, May 9 from 6:30-7:00 pm followed by a Remembering Service at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 10 at 10:00 am at Marywood Chapel of the Word. Sisters, Family, and Close Friends are invited to join us in person for the Remembering Service and Funeral. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Sister Verona Wangler’s name may be made to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters.