"You, Vera's family, are in my prayers. Vera and I worked at Ellen's 47 years ago together. She attended my wedding that year. I happened to come across this tribute by chance. I knew immediately who this was and it brought a mixture of sadness and a smile. Good memories. Great gal! Sorry for your loss. Jan Amick Erpelding "
In loving memory of
Vera Cerwick
April 30, 2021
Vera L. Cerwick, 83, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Friday, April 30th, 2021, at Trinity Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 8th at 10:30 AM at Holy Trinity Church with Msgr. Kevin McCoy, officiating the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. The services will be livestreamed Via the Laufersweiler Funeral Home Facebook page.
Survivors include her daughter Leta (Jim) Koll of Fort Dodge, son Bill (Cheryl) Cerwick of Fort Dodge, daughter Patricia (Randy) Ellis of Duncombe, daughter Celia (Mark) Taylor of Fort Dodge, son Chris (Mary) Cerwick of Fort Dodge, son John (Jodi) Cerwick of Fort Dodge, son Richard Cerwick of Fort Dodge, 18 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren; sisters Lois Barry of Long Beach, CA, and Lee Cerwick of Fort Dodge.
She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Katherine (Dobmeier) Wingert, grandson Matthew Ellis, infant twin brothers Leonard and Thomas Wingert, her 6 year old sister Lucille Wingert, sisters Rita Fay, Lillian Genrich, Edna Meehen, Agnes Bradley, and Mary Butler, and brothers Leo Wingert and Francis Wingert.
Vera Louise Wingert was born on October 6, 1937 in Fort Dodge. She attended Sacred Heart Schools here and graduated in 1955. In 1956, she moved to California. On April 7, 1956, she was united in marriage to Donald W. Cerwick. They lived in Washington, D.C., Newport, RI, while Don served in the U.S. Navy. They moved to Iowa in 1958 and to Fort Dodge in 1970. She worked as a Nurses Aid for Ellen's Nursing Home, Globe Union, Hawkeye Tent and Awning, Friendship Haven, and several different convenience stores. Vera loved her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and would do anything for them. Her church and music were a big part of her life whether it was singing in the choir, being a 20-year member of the "Sweet Adeline's", being a eucharistic minister, or serving as a cantor. For over 15 years she was a part of the Foster Grandparents Program. She also sponsored Simon, a child in Kenya, for over 15 years through the Christian Foundation For Children and Aging. In her spare time Vera loved to be creative and crocheted and knitted gifts for the entire family. She will be remembered best for her chocolate chip and Hawaiian cookies.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Tributes
"Family ,so sorry for your loss,I use to go to school with Tricia and Celia,I use to play at your house when I was younger and sometime stay the night,I remember the big Chocolate chip cookies Vera and her mom use to make, delicious ,I remember all you, from Leta to Richy. Vera was a nice person and a very hardworking women,was very nice to me,and took care of her family. Georgia Presswood AKA Georgia Cason Desmoines IA"
"Heaven is lucky to receive this beautiful soul. My Aunt Vera was a lovely lady. I was always inspired by her strength, generosity, and the unconditional love she shared with friends and family. I am pretty sure she baked that love into every batch of cookies :) Sending love and prayers to her family as they celebrate her life. "
"Much love and many prayers. I will always remember munching on Vera's famous chocolate chip cookies at every Wingert Family Reunion."
"Such a wonderful lady and dear friend to my family. She sang with my mom (Carol Murphy) in the Design Four quartet in the Sweet Adelines chorus. I will always remember her beautiful voice and even more beautiful soul."