Vera Alice CressmanDecember 5, 1932 - March 14, 2011Mrs. Vera (nee Snyder) Cressman of Humboldt, SK, (and formerly of Lanigan and Guernsey), went "home" to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her death occurred at Humboldt District Hospital in the early morning of Monday, March 14, 2011, after a short illness. She was 78 years of age. Vera was born on Monday, December 5, 1932, to Orlan and Veronica (Brubaker) Snyder at home on their farm near Bloomingdale, ON. She grew up there and attended Winterbourne Rural School in the area. Vera accepted Christ as her Saviour at the age of nine at a revival meeting at Bloomingdale Mennonite Church, where she was also baptized. She loved her Lord and had a desire to serve Him from a young age, an aspiration she successfully attained throughout her life. Vera taught Sunday School, at Bible clubs, and at Vacation Bible School. In Grade 6, her teacher took special interest in her musical ability. Although she was very shy, she realized she could use her voice for the Lord. As a youth, she sang in trios, duets, and choirs, and also enjoyed playing the organ and piano into adulthood. At the age of 19, while attending winter Bible School in Kitchener, ON, she met a certain young man from Saskatchewan whose sister was dating her brother Cleason. From the moment Vera and Stanley Cressman met, they both knew they were meant to marry and spend the rest of their lives together. Stan had to return to Saskatchewan to help on the family farm at Guernsey, and Vera spent the summer at The Pas, Manitoba, where she worked at a tuberculosis sanatorium through a Voluntary Service assignment. Both being very shy, their courtship started with short visits and correspondence in between. However, on December 10, 1955, Vera and Stan were married in Elmira Mennonite Church, Elmira, ON. On January 10, 1956, they travelled to Guernsey and settled on the Cressman farm. Over the next several years, four children, three sons and a daughter, were born to them. When their youngest was eight, Vera and Stan adopted an infant daughter. Needless to say, Vera was a very busy wife and mother, tending to the needs of her family, household duties, helping with chores, raising chickens, and planting and harvesting a large garden. She loved her role as a homemaker. Her cooking and baking were second to none. In 1978, a major change took place in the Cressman household. Vera's sister Verna White died suddenly and unexpectedly in Victoria, BC. Since her husband Bill had been incapacitated in an accident which necessitated him to be in a special care home years earlier, it fell to Vera and Stan as executors and also guardians of the four White children to take them in their care. Vera and Stan opened their home and their big hearts and brought the children back to Guernsey to become part of their immediate family. Vera and Stan's deep faith in the Lord and belief in the Bible, particularly scriptures such as "My grace in sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" and "Whatsoever you do unto one of Mine, you do also unto Me" ministered to them as they faced the future lovingly parenting nine children. Anyone knowing them, also knows that they wouldn't have it any other way. Their life revolved around their nine children. Vera and Stan moved into Lanigan where Stan was in partnership of New Concept Industries. In 2001, another move was made to Humboldt, where he and Vera took over 5 West Car & Truck Wash which they had bought in 2000, until retiring from that a year later. Vera enjoyed the more leisurely pace of life, and filled her hours knitting, crocheting, quilting, baking for family and friends, going out for coffee, and socializing. She was the quintessential hostess, and loved having people in for meals and an evening of playing board games. As a member of the Humboldt Alliance Church, she enjoyed volunteering at their book store, and being involved in bible studies and other activities there. To know Vera - was to love her. She lived the Golden Rule, and taught Christianity - not by preaching, but by example. Her sincere devotion to God, kind spirit, gentle manner, caring and compassion for others - accepting them just as they were, a heart of forgiveness, and a soft spot for the underdog, endeared her to all she met. Innumerable people were inspired by her; indeed she made a positive influence on their lives, a legacy which will live on. Memories of her will also include her sparkling personality, beautiful and warm smile, eyes that radiated love, quick wit, and her great sense of humour. As to her desire from a young child on to serve the Lord, there is no doubt that when she reached the gates of her Heaven the words "well done my good and faithful servant" were spoken to her. Vera will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her devoted husband of 55 years, Stanley Cressman of Humboldt; three sons, two daughters, and their families: Ray (Maxine) Cressman of Regina Beach, SK, and family, Nathan (Melanie) Cressman of Regina, SK, and children Kaden, Bennett, Hunter and Reed, and Michelle (Tim) Thiessen of Saskatoon and children Ty and Hudson; Joyce (Keith) Wasmuth of Lethbridge, AB, and family, Angela (James) Nilsson and children Jenna, Tyler and Joshua, and David (Janine) Wasmuth, all of Calgary, AB; Duane (Lori) Cressman of Abbotsford, BC, and family, Amber (Shawn) Lestage of Brighton, England, and Brittany Cressman of Abbotsford; Murray (Nadine) Cressman and family, Bradley (Miranda) Cressman, Jesse, Janell and Tanisha Cressman, all of Saskatoon; and Janice (Matt) Munro and family, Brett, Kyle and Dawson Munro, all of Saskatoon; three special nephews and one niece (the children of Vera's sister Verna and her husband Bill White), who joined the Cressman family in 1978: David (Karen) White of Blackstrap, SK, and family, Lindsey White and Tanner White, both of Saskatoon; Steve (Trish) White of Lanigan and family, Josh White of Regina, Stefanie (Dryden) Block of LeRoy, SK, and Joel White of Lanigan; and Sharon White (Dwayne Leas) of Saskatoon and family, Jeremy White of Saskatoon, Nikki Gohier (Andrew Abbott) and son Chase of Edmonton, AB, Tyler Gohier and Christopher Gohier, both of Saskatoon; and Andrew White of Lanigan; two brothers: Aden (Verna) Snyder of Kitchener, ON; and Mervin (Irene) Snyder of Elmira, ON; sisters-in-law: Beatrice Snyder of Walkerton, ON; and Alicia Snyder of Toronto, ON; brother-in-law, Carl Sleeper of Elkhart, IN; in-laws of the Cressman family: Noreen (Alfred) Polzin of Calgary, AB; and Glen Cressman of Saskatoon; and by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Orlan and Veronica (nee Brubaker) Snyder; step-mother, Irma Snyder; three sisters: Verna (Bill) White, Melinda (Mike) Utz, and Hettie Sleeper; three brothers: Cleason Snyder, Laverne Snyder, and Erwin Snyder (in infancy); sisters-in-law: Eileen Snyder, and Beulah Snyder; and by her parents-in-law, Allan and Mary (nee Toman) Cressman. The Funeral Service for Vera was held at Christian Fellowship Church, Lanigan, on Saturday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Steve White. Others taking part were: Pastor Jim Mullet and Pastor Murray Lees, scripture readers, messages, and reflections; Duane Cressman, eulogist; David White, guitar/vocal soloist and tribute; David Wasmuth, piano and vocal solo; Nata Kline, pianist; and JoAnne Deditch, memorial table attendant. Pallbearers were Bradley Cressman, Jesse Cressman, David Wasmuth, James Nilsson, Nathan Cressman, Tim Thiessen, Brett Munro, Kyle Munro, and Dawson Munro. Interment followed at Sharon Mennonite Cemetery in the Guernsey district. Memorial donations may be directed to the Gideons. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
