Dorothy graduated from DePaul Nursing School in May 1957, and soon after, married the love of her life on August 31, 1957. Together they raised five loving children and spent many summers boating, water skiing, and vacationing. Her family was very important to her and she always put them before herself. She made every holiday and birthday extra special. She was a devout Catholic which gave her strength and guidance. Dorothy had a true gift for cooking and always made extras to share with others. She also had a passion for gardening and growing flowers all throughout their farm. Dorothy was an amazing seamstress, making clothes for her children, grandchildren, and their dolls. She was an avid reader and shared words of inspiration to her loved ones. She loved playing cards with her friends and family. “Dottie” had a reputation for a mean game of Sequence. She also loved getting together with her 57 Club from nursing school and the St. Luke’s Card Club.
Dorothy and Ken loved spending time on their farm. They enjoyed taking walks in the woods, warming up by the fireplace and sitting on the dock. They were always ready for weekend adventures to St. Genevieve or Grafton to go antiquing and taking scenic drives along the river. The love that they had was admired by everyone, a true inspiration for anyone that knew them. They were married for 66 years and were the perfect love story.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her son, Kenneth W. Vernier; her parents, Frank and Marie (Wiesbecher) Skrob; and a brother, William F. Skrob.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth L. Vernier; three daughters, Julie Sousan and her children, Dru, Jordan, and Sarah Marie, Linda (Mark) Heckman and children, Ryan (Candice) Mueller, and Kristen Mueller, Beth (Eric) Hotter and their children, Elyse McClure and Steven (Emily) Gass; a son, Tim (Sheri) Vernier and their son Jake; a grandson, Dawson Vernier (son of Kenneth W.), and his brother Dustin Stone; seven great-grandchildren, Aldo, Kenji, Jude, Jadyn, Elijah, Kai, and Vivian; and a sister, Arlene (Ron) Seymour.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James Church of Millstadt. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends and family may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024, at St. James Catholic Church, (405 W Madison St, Millstadt, IL 62260).
Funeral: Catholic Mass services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024, at St. James Catholic Church, with Msgr. Marvin Volk officiating, (405 W Madison St, Millstadt, IL 62260).