Larry, Jay Dee, Vernita and Jim probably 1953-55

Dear Winikka Family, 
Deepest sympathies in the passing of your beloved Vernita.  She and Bob graciously allowed us to stay in their home when we first came to Morningside in '99 and our house was being refurbished.  She was always such a positive and supportive presence for ourselves and for everyone at Morningside.  May you know every comfort as you grieve her passing and celebrate her life legacy of faith and family and hope and love, and her rich welcome home by her Lord and Savior.

Love, Bob & Lanette Barrett

My Aunt Vernita.   What a lovely person!  The perfect match for my Uncle Bob!  Even after the unfortunate passing of Bob many years too soon, every time I was able to be with Vernita, I always knew Bob was there too.  They were a bright shining beacon of caring, sharing, giving, faith, and loving.  On top of that, they provided all of the above in an environment filled with laughter, music, art, and a lot of family/friends. 

I spent many days and nights of my youth at their house on Whitton Avenue.  I have many special memories in that house.  Rides in the VW Van, Basketball, bumper pool, listening to music and Bob's comedy albums, Max & Peabody.....and much more that get fuzzier as time passes by.   

I realize now during those times how many life lessons I learned from Vernita and Bob, not by saying anything,  but how they lived, their actions, and probably because of what they didn't say.
While I usually hung out with Dan and we had common interests, as time went by, l at some point of my life I've had some form of connection/common interest with Chris, Beth, Janice, and Kurt.   In each case they each carry the lovely qualities of their parents.  They are a wonderful tribute to Bob and Vernita.  

When Kim and I moved to Oregon in 2012, one of the unexpected benefits was to get to see Vernita in "vacation 
mode" during her visits to Chris and Brenda.  For Vernita "vacation mode" was all about her grandchildren.   She was always talking about a recent or upcoming trip with a grandchild.  Usually during her visits to Oregon, one of Annie, Simon, or Elisah was involved in some form of Musical/artistic event.  Once again, you see Bob and Vernita's qualities passed down to another generation.  
I must also mention the batches of Limoncello she enjoyed making and sharing during her visits. I can't imagine my life without my Uncle Bob and Aunt Vernita, thankfully I don't have to and know the world is full of those who have crossed their path and are better off for it!

After my marriage to her brother, Larry, in Dec. 1960, I got to know Vernita better and better. I started to understand what a lovely person she was, how gentle, and what a delightful sense of humor she had. Vernita and Bob's home was always open to our two sons, Steve and Sam. Actually, their home was always open to everyone! I have never known two people with more generosity of spirit, kindness, and just plain love.

When Bob was struck down by a sudden heart attack in 2005 at the age of 72, making Vernita an instant widow, it was just unbelievable for all of us. Certainly most of all, for Vernita. She had her family and her deep faith to sustain her, but what a struggle she faced! We saw her amazing strength and understood that her prayers were constant and that God was always present in her life. She prayed for her children, her family, the people in her church, the homeless man she saw on the street that morning. To know Vernita was to love her. Her special gift was that you could feel her love. I will always be grateful to have had her in my life.

It is difficult to find the words to remember Vernita.  She was a superstar - so kind, so gracious, so outgoing - a woman of faith.  I remember so well when she and Bob visited our home in Illinois, while on one of their cross-country road trips, and we visited them at their home in Arizona, and the time our paths crossed in Seattle for a visit.  She always had such interesting stories of the people and places they had visited around the world.  One summer she came to visit our daughter, Barb, in Colorado while we were there also.  It happened that our grandson, Derrick, was scheduled to pitch at a baseball game and she eagerly consented to go along.  We all sat on blankets on the side of a hill and it wasn't long when a sudden rainstorm ended the game and thoroughly soaked us all before we could get back to the car.  It didn't faze her.  She just said, "These are the times you remember."  What a trooper!  We will miss Vernita terribly, but we just thank God for all the happy memories we had together.
~Gene and Mary Jane

I have so many wonderful memories of my dear Aunt Vernita. She was always loving and kind. I fondly remember our trip to Kentucky for a family reunion where my brother Sam and I piled into the  Winikka family VW van with the full clan.

Dear Winikka and Conrad families,
I admire the way your mother/ sister lived her life and the light she brought to others. She was a very special woman. And she will be missed by all. I’m sorry for your loss. 
May time heal your sorrow. 
May friends ease your pain,
May peace replace heartaches. 
And May warmest memories remain. 
Fondly, MARY JANE 

I will never forget your sweetness and love to all the people that share a moment with you. I haven't forgot our talks, and moments during my visit to Arizona, the glasses of wine we shared together at night. I was planing to go to visit you as a surprise, but you gave me a surprise first, now you are reunited with your husband, the love of your life.

Now I send my best wishes to your loving family, from your truly friend from Chile, Gloria Rodriguez, Friendship force Santiago de Chile.

Please accept my prayers and love for the Winikka Family. Vernita was a precious soul, and a kind and caring friend. I am fondly remembering that I was permitted to call Connie Vernita  once again.  She wanted that to be so. Condolences to the loving children in their deep loss of such a loving mother. She will be missed, but heaven rejoices! Revelation 14:13
Duane McDonough

We loved Vernita.  She has been a friend since the 70's.  When I first met her she was introduced to us as Connie.  I  called her that for years. It was hard to get used to the name Vernita at first but now I can not see her with any other name.
Vernita was so loving and always concerned about others.  She always remembered our families.  
I can remember the trip to Ireland when she and Anya traveled with a group of us  on a bus tour.  It was a memorable trip getting to know each other better. It was fun to see Anya hauling around her grandpa's old film camera.  
 I can never remember Vernita lacking enthusiasm or ever falling behind even in her later years.  What a gift she was to her family and us. Everyone was her friend.  Ask anyone who stayed at her bed and breakfast.

Vernita walked in faith and loved her God.  Now she is with HIM.  
Shirley & Tom Allen

I met Vernita in her trip in Albania. She had to be guest of another family, but that family that night didn’t come so my father invited her to our house. So happy he did , so he knew Vernita. 
She was more than a lovely women. She was like an angel. Always smiling and sharing love with everyone. That year we all celebrated her 80th birthday. I still can remember the joy on her face. 
Later she opened her door of her home for me. I spend 3 days at her home. Maybe the best I had in US. 
There are many things to say for her. 

Maybe world should have more people like her.  

OBITUARY

Vernita Marcene Winikka

September 8, 1931 – May 21, 2022

Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center

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