Olive "Vernelle" Wiens (Davidson) age 96, passed away on May 24, 2021, at the home of her son Gregg Wiens, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Vernelle was born on July 21, 1924, in rural Meade County, Kansas, the daughter of Ora and Agnes Davidson.

On September 5, 1949, she married Raymond Wiens, who preceded her in death on August 20, 2012.   Other than in recent years due to failing health, Vernelle lived most of her life in Meade, Kansas.

Vernelle was born in a dugout house in southern Meade County in an area known as "The Irish Flats." Her parents were homesteaders whose parents' families had immigrated to the United States.   Unfortunately, The Irish Flats were located in the heart of what would come to be known as the Dust Bowl. She had a photograph of the day when a black cloud of dust rolled into southwest Kansas blackening the sky and making life on their land impossible to survive, much less thrive.   She spoke of how the barbed wire fences were buried completely by the sand and how the inside of their home would also fill with sand. Like so many, her parents lost their farm.   They packed up the family and moved to Burlington, Kansas where they lived for six years while desperately poor from the loss of everything in Meade.   When the dust bowl relinquished its grip, they returned to Meade where her dad, Ora, worked at many different jobs and ran various types of businesses in an effort to support his family.   Vernelle's mom, Agnes, was hardworking too, raising five children on a shoe string budget.   Prior to having children, Agnes had been a school teacher in a small country school in Meade County. She had attended teachers' college in Emporia, Kansas.

Vernelle graduated from Meade High School in 1942. She said very little about the years prior to marrying Raymond. She worked at the ticket counter of the local indoor movie house when tickets were ten cents. She said that going to the theater then was considered an elegant occasion, and employees were expected to be dressed properly. She spoke of wearing sequins.   Her sister, Marjory, had taught her how to sew, and both she and Marjory sewed some beautiful clothing, even while having to create their own patterns. She then worked at the local dime store.   She also worked at the courthouse for a few years. Following her marriage to Raymond, she became a mother.   Their first two children were born just 12 months apart.   They soon were blessed with four more children. Vernelle's household was a loud and boisterous household with three older boys and three younger girls. She made the best Toll House cookies, pies, birthday cakes and dinner rolls. She worried over each child and never forgot a single birthday.   She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren, too, and was extremely proud when they had something to celebrate.   She never imposed on others and would never, ever ask for help. Her family will miss her dearly.

She was a lifetime member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and its Altar Society. She was also lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ora and Agnes, and four siblings, Marjory Jeffery (Eddie), Earl, Garland, and Wesley who was married to Mary Davidson who resides in Wichita, Kansas.

Other survivors include: three sons, Steven (Janice) of Meade; Spencer (Rhonda) of Meade; and Gregg; three daughters, Teresa Janezic (Don) of Baton Rouge, LA; Gloria Wiens of Gainesville, FL; and Marilyn Horsch (Brian) of Lecompton, KS; ten grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be held at 10 AM followed by a Mass of the Christian Burial on Monday, June 21 ^st , 2021, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery, Meade, KS. Friends may call on family from 5:00-7:00 pm Sunday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and sent in care of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade, Kansas.