Verna Burkholder Oberholtzer, 65, of Gorin, Missouri, passed away Thursday, December 5, 2013, at the Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.

    Verna Burkholder Nolt was born to Ivan and Mary Nolt on January 28, 1948 during the same snowstorm as her future husband.  She was raised in Richland, Pennsylvania and attended school in Lebanon County for eight years of education.  On March 9, 1968, she married her life companion, Abner Oberholtzer to whom she was married for over 45 years.  They lived in Burks County, Pennsylvania for the first five years of marriage.  In 1974, they, with their first three children, moved to rural Wyaconda, Missouri and farmed a dairy operation.  Four more children were born to them and raised there.  In the year 2000, they moved a mile away to a small home and continued to help with the farm.  All of her grandchildren were a special joy to Verna and she enjoyed spending time in her flowerbeds and lawn.  In 2013 Verna’s health was declining, so an operation was planned to fix her ailing heart.  Surrounded by her precious family, she went through surgery, but complication set in and God took her home instead of granting her more time here. 

     She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed.

    Verna is survived by her husband, Abner W. Oberholtzer of Gorin, Missouri; her mother and step-father, Mary and Melvin Martin of Richland, Pennsylvania; children, Vernon and Romaine Oberholtzer of Memphis, Missouri, Eugene and Minerva Oberholtzer of Gorin, Missouri, Marlin Oberholtzer of Memphis, Missouri, Mary Jane and Curvin Zimmerman of LaMonte, Missouri, Earl and Lois Oberholtzer of Wyaconda, Missouri, Grace Elaine and Marlin Eberly of Fortuna, Missouri, and Esther Mae and Elam Ray Sensening of Curtiss, Wisconsin; thirty-four grandchildren.

    She is also survived by a brother, Lewis and Rosanna Nolt of Richland, Pennsylvania; three sisters, Arlene and Ervin Nolt of Memphis, Missouri, Mary Kathryn and Ivan Martin of New Holland, Pennsylvania and Betty and Melvin Weaver of East Earl, Pennsylvania; a two step-brothers, Leland and Marilyn Martin of East Earl, Pennsylvania, Melvin Edward Martin of Martindale, Pennsylvania; a step-sister, Elizabeth Ann and Aaron Ray Wise of Seneca Falls, New York and a friend of the family, Linda Briggs of Memphis, Missouri.

    Verna was preceded in death by her father, Ivan H. Nolt; an infant brother; a grandson, Christopher Oberholtzer; and a step-sister, Mary Etta Martin.

    Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at the Millport Mennonite Church south of Rutledge, Missouri.

    Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Mennonite Community Center south of Memphis, Missouri.

    Burial will be in the Millport Mennonite Cemetery south of Rutledge, Missouri.

    Officiating will be Luke Fox, Carl Hoover, Nelson Martin and Charles Zimmerman, with Casket Bearers, Randall Oberholtzer, Stephen Oberholtzer, Cody Oberholtzer, Calvin Oberholtzer, Brian Zimmerman and Lavern Ramer.

    The family requests no flowers only your presence and prayers.