Verna M. Bickel Sylwester
Feb. 10, 1924 – Dec. 19, 2018
Verna Martha Bickel Sylwester passed away Dec. 19, 2018, at home in Granada Hills, California, at the age of 94 years, 10 months and 9 days. Verna was born Feb. 10, 1924, in Detroit, Michigan, to L.G. and Edna Bickel. The family moved to Seward in 1929 when her father was called to serve at Concordia Teachers College. She was confirmed at St John Lutheran Church.
Verna attended St. John School, Concordia High School and Concordia Teachers College in Seward. She met Roland Sylwester in college and they were married at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward on Aug. 4, 1946. After graduation, Roland accepted a call to Bethlehem Lutheran School in Berkeley, California, where three children were born. In 1952, Roland accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran School in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, where two more children were born. Verna taught primary grades when the youngest children started school. In 1968, Roland accepted a call to Lutheran High School in Los Angeles, California. Verna accepted a call to teach at Faith Lutheran School in Inglewood, California. Verna finished her teaching career at Our Savior First Lutheran School in Granada Hills, California.
She and Roland traveled many miles in their RV crisscrossing the United States with their Puppet Theater of the Word, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Verna was well-known for her knitting and crocheting. She crocheted afghans for all her children and grandchildren. She crocheted and knitted afghans and scarves for various charities. She was an active member of her church and was committed to daily devotions and Bible reading.
Verna is survived by her children, Don (Sue) of Seward, Tom (Maureen) of Granada Hills, California, Ann (David) Kretzmann of Sacramento, California, and Susan (Matt) Smith of Granada Hills, California; son-in-law, Tim Warneke of Temple City, California; grandchildren, Rose Sylwester of Los Angeles, California, Quentin Sylwester of Granada Hills, California, Joshua (Dana) Kretzmann of Providence, Rhode Island, Matthew Kretzmann of Sacramento, California, Aaron Kretzmann of Lake Forest, California, Skye (Dustin) Marciniak of Orange, California, Kelly (Jesse) Sipan of Pasadena, California, Luke Warneke of Temple City, California, Natalie Richards of San Diego, California, Grace (Michael) Diaz of Glendale, California, Wendy Smith of Granada Hills, California, LeeAnna Smith of Granada Hills, California, and Sarah (Steve) Hoyt and Miles (Justine) Smith of Lake Forest, California; great-grandchildren, Alinea Marciniak, Lydia, Avonlea, Joel and Elliott Sipan, Odin Smith and Sadie, Sophie and Sawyer Hoyt.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roland in 1998; daughter, Linda Warneke in 2017; son-in-law, Quentin DuVall; son-in-law, Keni Richards; sister, Doris Spates; and brother, Don Bickel.
A memorial service will be held at Our Savior First Lutheran Church in Granada Hills, California, on Jan. 19, 2019. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.
