Vera Viola Kovach

Vera V. Kovach was a woman of humor and compassion. With a love for laughter and joy in her soul and a love for family in her heart, Vera approached each day as an opportunity to bring happiness to those around her.

Though it fell within the timeframe of World War I, 1916 was a year marked by many great events. While Albert Einstein worked on completing his theory of relativity, Charlie Chaplin was at the height of his fame entertaining wartime audiences as a silent movie star. It was into this heightened world of war and laughter that William Colin Landells and his wife, Flora (Snowden), of Fort Wayne, Indiana, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Vera Viola, on January 12, 1916. She was the only one of their seven children who was born in a hospital, instead of at home.

Vera spent her growing up years in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where her family moved when she was a toddler. Her father worked as a bricklayer and helped build the brick roads, like the ones on Westnedge Hill and Academy Street. As a youngster, Vera enjoyed swimming in Blocker's pond and catching frogs. She also had a goat, which was infamous for eating everything in sight. Vera and her sister were close growing up, though they had their share of sisterly fights, usually because Vera thought her sister was getting more attention. For education, Vera attended Hurd School and Kalamazoo Central, where she played softball and excelled as a good speller. However, she left school after the ninth grade because she had no transportation to get there.

Vera's life took a new direction when she met John Edward Kovach on a blind date. A love soon blossomed between the two and they were married on February 16, 1935, in Elkhart, Indiana. The couple later exchanged traditional vows at St. Augustine's in Kalamazoo. After marrying, Vera and John started their own family pretty quickly. Their firstborn was daughter Melvina "Millie", followed by John, Sherman and Marilyn. The "second batch", as Vera affectionately called them, included Richard, Diane, James and Thomas. The Kovach household was always a busy place with eight children, but Vera kept it running smoothly with lots of love, light on the discipline and much laughter.

Before her kids and after they were grown, Vera worked at Kalamazoo Paper Box, putting samples together. At home, she had many talents around the house, especially as an excellent cook. From her "make something from nothing" dishes to the traditional Croatian and Hungarian meals she made in honor of her husband's heritage, no one left the table hungry because everything was delicious. Her dessert specialties included Yorkshire pudding, crepes with cinnamon and sugar and Kolache, a special Hungarian bread and Christmas time favorite of her family.

In her leisure time, Vera enjoyed crocheting, doing crossword puzzles to keep her mind sharp and she had a real green thumb when it came to her garden and house plants. One of her most prized possessions was a mantle clock from her mother, which was very dear to her heart. Vera was a big bowler and played the game well into her 80s. In fact, her husband John and her children had a surprise birthday party for her on a bowling night. John took her to the bowling alley as usual, but then claimed he forget his wallet and had to go back home. John left her sitting in the car and after a long wait Vera stormed inside to find out where he was - only to be surprised with a party!

One of Vera's most defining traits was her love for laughter. She loved to make people laugh and even shared in the dirty jokes. Her daughters remember how laughter was such an important part of family gatherings that they would often have sore stomachs the day after. Vera will forever be remembered for the joy she brought to those around her and will be deeply missed.

Vera V. Kovach, age 89, died on October 28, 2005, at Lakeview Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, John E. Kovach, her son, James Kovach; son-in-law, J. Fred Wilson; and five brothers and a sister. Surviving are seven children: Millie (Jim) Boozenny of Sun Lakes, AZ, John E. (Marlene) Kovach, Jr. of Tucson, AZ, Sherman (Melba) Kovach of Kalamazoo, Marilyn DeYoung-Wilson of Lawton, Richard (Ann Marie) Kovach of Plainwell, Diane Gettys of Kalamazoo, and Thomas (Donna) Kovach of New Port Richey, FL; twenty-four grandchildren; Kathleen, Steve, Daryl, Sharyl, Michael, Maryanne, Mark, Shannon, Shirley, Julie, Robert, John, James, Robert, Laura, Jennifer, Theresa, Richard, Christine, Tim, Kelly, Adam, Terra and Buster; forty-three great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren, several step grandchildren and great grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Learn more about Vera, view her Life Story Film, and visit with her family and friends on Wednesday, November 2, from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, Stadium Drive West of US-131, 375-2900, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, November 3, at 12:00 noon. Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Food and fellowship will follow at her son Richard's home in Plainwell. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Gideon's Bibles or the charity of your choice.