Patsy Lee Verus

Patsy Lee (Havener) Verus went to be with her Lord on Thursday morning, January 13, 2022, passing peacefully in her sleep. She was born November 19th, 1940, in Detroit to Harry Leland Havener and Ruth Sturdevant (Hyman) Havener, living and attending school there until her family moved back to their hometown of Clio, MI when she was 7.

Growing up in Clio, Patsy remembered "walking everywhere", living 8 blocks from school, having a very large garden every year, and canning "a lot!", and the special treat of getting to stay at her Aunt Annabelle and Uncle Ralph's farm in the summers.

She often fondly remembered her best friend, JoAnn (Kreh) Moore, and how they would double-date with best friends Dick Moore and Marvin Verus (who was one of 7 Verus boys who lived next door to JoAnn's family).

Patsy and Marvin were married on November 20th, 1958, in Elizabeth City, NC. As Marvin had enlisted in the Marine Corps, they raised their family of 3 boys at military bases where Marvin was stationed in Virginia, North Carolina, Hawaii, and Illinois.

Patsy enjoyed being a homemaker but was also employed with E.R. Moore in Illinois in the early 1970's, and later worked as a receptionist in the office of Dr. Eugene Curtis in Hastings.

While stationed in Hawaii in the 1960's, Patsy was a Boy Scout den mother, competed in archery tournaments, and she and Marvin were also foster parents to a teenaged Hawaiian student named June.

She was a person of many interests: politics and current events; restoring antique furniture; canning, crocheting, sewing, and writing poetry; and was an avid rock collector.

By 1975, Marvin had retired from the Marine Corps, and the family moved to Hastings.

Patsy and Marvin enjoyed long drives - especially to visit family in Clio; hosting and attending family parties; their fun and eventful family camping trips each year to the Baldwin and Newago area that have created many warm and happy memories; enjoying the camaraderie of good friends, as Marvin competed on several bowling leagues in the area; spontaneous icecream rides; and taking energetic power walks together (...as Marvin would say, "at O-dark-thirty").

Patsy was an active member of the local Assembly of God church, and later, Pleasantview Family Church - teaching Sunday School, working in the office, and singing - with the worship team at A of G, and ministering in special music at both congregations.

She took great joy in being part of a mission trip to Africa and was blessed to participate in the Good Friday Cross Walks in Hastings - a ministry and witness of Grace Lutheran Church.

Patsy was an avid pray-er...a woman of faith and putting that faith into action. She is remembered by her neighbors and many friends as unfailingly loving, generous and kind, and leaves behind a beautiful legacy of all the lives she has touched.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Ruth; her husband of 57 years, Marvin Kent Verus; sisters, Eva (Leroy) Shumaker, Jill Hastings, Dorothy (John) Brown, brother Dennis and brother-in-law John Brown; aunts Annabelle Kirk, Dorothy Partridge, Bernice Smith, and Uncle Vernal Havener.

She is survived by her 3 sons: Brett Lee (Sandi) Verus; Michael Kent (Rica) Verus; Jimmy Dane (Gina) Verus; her 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; many special nieces and nephews; and dear friends, Betty Colegrove of Yuma, AZ; Sandy Mosteller of Hastings; and Marsha McCarty also of Hastings.

A very special thanks to Ashley, Charitie, and all the staff at AC Flower House - you cared for Mom like family.

There will be a small service at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI for family and close friends, date and time to be determined. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence, visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.com.