Vern Ann Baxter, 104, long time Cedar Rapids resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 30 at Mercy Medical Center. She completed her life journey and now joins her beloved husband of 82 years, Eugene, who preceded her in death on Jan. 11, 2018.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, where a visitation will begin at 1 p.m. The Rev. Craig Brown of First Lutheran Church will officiate. Private inurnment will be held at Cedar Memorial.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Courageous. Arrangements are with Cedar Memorial.
Vern Ann Hering was born on Nov. 24, 1913, the only child of William and Alfrieda (Miller) Hering, in Durant, where she spent her childhood. Following high school graduation, Vern Ann continued her education in Davenport by becoming a registered nurse. She began her career doing private duty nursing near Durant. During this time she met a handsome young businessman, Eugene B. Baxter. Gene and Vern Ann married on Aug. 22, 1936 in Davenport and in November of 1938 the couple moved to Cedar Rapids where Gene founded his own business, Baxter Motors, Inc.
Vern Ann was a devoted and loving mother to their three children, Bill, Ric and Babs, and was never happier than when she was surrounded by her family. She loved being a homemaker and excelled at it. She entertained with grace and ease, and lots of wonderful food, making the Baxter home a special place to welcome friends and family. She and Gene were wonderful hosts and had a lively group of friends. On their first date they attended a dance and they danced through their life together, enjoying a social group in Cedar Rapids called “Merry Mix” as well as being early members of Elmcrest Country Club and various other groups. Vern Ann was a member of First Lutheran Church and a 50-year member of P.E.O. Chapter IH. Vern Ann was a very creative person and through the years enjoyed being a part of several sewing and craft groups. She loved to play cards and played an excellent game of bridge.
Being a grandmother came naturally to Vern Ann, who had boundless love for her two grandchildren, R.J. and Melissa. She and Gene took them on many trips and adventures and always welcomed R.J. and Melissa for overnight visits. She was equally thrilled to become a great-grandmother when Olivia, Emma, Chase and Ava came along. Vern Ann also welcomed into her heart “bonus” step-grandchildren, Eric, Tyson, Brian and Emily Rust, their spouses and children.
Left to cherish her memory are three children, William Baxter of Cedar Rapids, Richard Baxter of Marion and Barbara (Gerald) Thomsen of Ryan, Iowa; grandchildren R.J. (Lynn Marie) Baxter of Evergreen, Colorado and Melissa (John) Jackovin of Johnston, Iowa; four great-grandchildren, Olivia and Emma Jackovin and Chase and Ava Baxter. Other survivors include her devoted caregiver, Diane Ferrington, former daughter-in-law, Georgie Schuster and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene, her parents and a daughter-in-law, Karen Baxter.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Hallmar for their loving care of both Vern Ann and Gene in their final years.
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