Vera Jo Harnish, 94, of Hiawatha died Wednesday evening, January 24th, 2018, at the Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha, where she was a resident.

Vera Jo was born November 9, 1923, at her parents’ home in Salemsberg, Kansas with the assistance of her two grandmothers.  She graduated from Smolan High School May 1941.  Following high school she entered nurses training at Asbury Protestant Hospital Salina, Kansas and received her registered nursing degree in January 1945.   As a nurse, Vera Jo worked 40 years as a surgical, obstetrical, pediatric, evening supervisor, industrial, public health and school nurse. 

In 1946, she married Frank Huna who died suddenly in 1950.  Following his death she met and married Eugene Harnish February 18, 1951 in Valeda, Kansa.  After living many places, they moved to Hiawatha in 2000 and had celebrated 60 years of marriage prior to Eugene’s death.

Throughout Vera Jo’s life she volunteered multiple places and participated in various church and Tri Sigma activities since retiring from nursing.  Most recently she was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Hiawatha, Kansas.

Vera Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Nelson and Margarite Drevits-Nelson, husband Eugene and sister Carol.  She is survived by her brother in law Art Harnish and wife Shirley, cousins, numerous nieces and nephews and great and great-great nieces and nephews.

She and Eugene had no children but enjoyed their cats and dogs and babysitting some delightful children.

Memorial services are planned for 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 5, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha, with Reverend Michael Dunaway and Reverend Sean Kilgo will officiate. Inurnment will follow at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.

Memorial contributions will be made to Maple Heights in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St, Hiawatha 66434.

www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com