Veva Roine Garber

Veva Roine (Hershberger) Garber was born on April 27, 1922 on a farm near Milford, Nebraska, to Edward and Alma Hershberger. She was the third of ten children, all born in Milford, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by six siblings.  Three survive: one brother, Abner (Ann) Hershberger, Goshen, and two sisters, Erma Jantzen, Nampa, ID, and Lila Garber, Lititz, PA.

Veva’s life was marked by school, play, and chores on the farm, while living through the Great Depression. These were enjoyable years for her. When she was fifteen, the family moved to Castleton, North Dakota, where her father accepted a position of leadership in the Mennonite church. While living in North Dakota, she attended the Hesston Academy in Hesston, Kansas, and met her husband, Leonard Garber, who was also a student there.   

They were married in 1944 and moved to their farm in Nampa, Idaho, where they enjoyed six years of a tranquil life of farming, being close to nature and the free life it afforded them. They found this to be a wonderful environment in which to raise their first three daughters. In 1950, they moved to Winton, California, for Leonard to pastor the Winton Mennonite Church and also farmed almonds and sweet potatoes. It was here that their fourth daughter was born.

In 1957, the family moved to Hesston, Kansas, for Leonard to attend Hesston College. In 1959, the family moved to Garden City, Missouri, to pastor the Sycamore Grove congregation. In 1964, they moved to Elkhart, Indiana, and pastored at Sunnyside Mennonite Church. In 1975, they moved to Louisville, Ohio, and pastored at Stoner Heights Mennonite Church until 1983, when they made a final move to the Elkhart/Goshen area.

After moving to Elkhart, Veva developed her role as a professional seamstress and alterations specialist at Stevensons in Elkhart, also serving clientele in her home business. Throughout her life and multiple moves, Veva had many other interests and gifts. She loved nature, especially birds, and often referred to her time spent in nature as her way of communicating with God. She would often quote Psalms 139:14, “I praise you Lord because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know that full well.”  She enjoyed gardening, landscaping, and she was a delightful homemaker and mother, providing a nurturing home for her children. She also was an avid quilter and this was one of her favorite pastimes. She was a Chicago Cubs fan, kept abreast of world events and enjoyed reading. 

Veva and Leonard enjoyed traveling together. They logged thousands of miles together in cross-country motorcycling, pulling a pop-up camper, visiting family and sight-seeing. They marveled at the beauties of God’s creation wherever they went. They loved the open roads, fresh air and the landscapes were invigorating to them.  They also traveled frequently by car, sometimes with an RV, and accompanied by family.  A couple of their highlights included South America and Canadian provinces.

Their call to the ministry meant living in many different geographical locations, adjusting to new communities and getting acquainted with church families. While not always easy, Veva was supportive and loyal, walking beside Leonard in their ministry together.  She used her gifts of listening, understanding and encouragement especially to women in the congregations they served. She often supported others outside the church community, who were in need.

Veva is survived by her husband Leonard Garber; four daughters, Carol (Lavon) Welty, Goshen, Linda (Ron) Gunden, Conroe, TX, Rosalyn (Merle) Mullet, Berlin, OH and Yvonne Garber, Denver, CO; six grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in The Gathering Place at Evergreen Place, 1300 Greencroft Drive, Goshen, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

        Center for Healing and Hope, Goshen, IN:  chhclinics.org  (574) 534-4744

         Mennonite Central Committee (MCC):  mcc.org  888-563-4676

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with her care.

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