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Obituary
Verna passed at the age of 91 from natural causes on the Thursday, August 18, 2022 while at her home on Big Wolf Lake in Grass Lake, Michigan. Verna was born December 13, 1930 in the City of Detroit. Her passion and pride for her city is something that lived on thru friends, family, and anyone who would listen to her recounting stories of her upbringing and fond memories of her life Her father John Mead Lewis and Mother Lillian Boyd had their hands full raising a family of 14. Verna was the second oldest sibling and quickly became the caretaker and matriarch of her siblings. Her life changed when she met her late husband, George H Rehahn, after he returned from his tour on a submarine in the pacific during WWII while serving his country in the Navy. A few short years after they met, they were married in Detroit on January 15th, 1949. A few years after the nuptials, the family moved to Southgate to start their family. Verna went on to have four beautiful daughters – Jacqueline, Linda, Carol, and Georjean. She was a dedicated, stay at home mother while George worked for Edison, and later Ford Motor Company, during their 20+ years in Taylor, MI. As the daughters began to graduate high school, she continued her community involvement through her efforts with the American Legion, Taylor Community Center, St John’s Lutheran Church, and eventually the Lions Club. She was always the first one to volunteer a helping hand to someone in need. She was so proud to watch her four beautiful daughters grow up, get married, and have families of their own. Her grandchildren Candice , Christopher, and Marissa were offering their love and by her side in her final days Verna’s family brought so much life and laughter to her world, family was of the utmost importance. Verna and George dreamed of a quieter life on the lake and bought their dream home on Big Wolf Lake in Grass Lake, MI in 1987. She fell in love with the quaint city and the quaint city fell back in love with her as she became known as the honorary mayor by just about everyone in town. Verna spent most mornings at her favorite Grass Lake diner having breakfast and coffee hot enough to burn your mouth surrounded by her many, beloved friends. She loved helping out at the diner rolling silverware and showing the young waitresses how things were done. If it wasn’t being done right – she let them know and people appreciated and loved that about her. She certainly always spoke her mind. After 54 years of marriage, the love of her life, George, left us to join the lord in heaven in 2003. Their marriage was one for the books and inspired anyone who was lucky enough to know them. She managed to carry on for the family and maintain the finances and home for years to come in the next chapter of her life. She spent a lot of time traveling with her ladies group – the Trippers - where she went to see the Follies in Canada, Branson MO, the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Shipshewana, and many more. Verna went on cruises and to Florida with the family and loved being near the ocean. In between reading her romance novels and watching her soap operas, she fell in love with the game of golf – a game she never played a day in her life. She was not only the unofficial mayor of Grass Lake, she then became the honorary senior lady at the PGA, a title coined by the President of the Seniors – Mr. Rick George. This was the effect she had on people – people were just magnetized toward Verna. She absolutely loved watching and documenting each match on TV in her notebook and looked forward to being in person to watch her favorite and cheer on her favorite players. She was so proud to show off her one-of-a-kind, signed paraphernalia and many newspaper articles about her love for the game. In addition to golf, she enjoyed attending music in the park in Grass Lake and watching the sunrise and sunset over the lake from her sun porch. Being on the water was Verna’shappy place – watching the boats go by, fisherman make their catch of the day, or the ski club do their morning practices right in front of her house. She was close with her neighbors and could cook like no one else. From her famous green beans, turkey and thanksgiving dressing, and swiss steak – she was just an all-around amazing cook. One thing is for sure… Verna loved people and people loved her just the same. She never left a visit without a hug, kiss, and an I love you. She lived an amazing life filled with love, family, and memories that will be forever cherished. She passed peacefully in her home in Grass Lake surrounded by her closest family members and the breeze of the lake through her bedroom windows.
Verna is survived by her children; Jacqueline & Jerry Simons, Linda and Scott Belknap, Carol and Alan Marl, and Georjean and Tim; grandchildren Christopher Kidd, Candice Simons, Marissa Kidd and a great grandson on the way in November; siblings Diane and Johnny Lewis; and all her wonderful friends and neighbors.
In lieu of flowers, the family request is that you please make a charitable donation to Arbor Hospice to thank them for the quality nursing team that made her final days as comfortable as possible.
