Vera Lena Zurcher

Vera Lena Zurcher, 95, went to her heavenly home Monday, October 26, 2026. She was born June 28, 1931, on a farm two miles north of Berne, Indiana, to the late Rufus and Rachel Inniger. She was the second of four children.

Vera attended and graduated from Monroe High School in 1949. She played clarinet in the band and was a varsity cheerleader. At a basketball banquet, she met her future husband, Vernon. They married in 1950.

She was blessed to have Christian parents and attended Evangelical Mennonite Church while growing up. She and Vernon later helped with the youth program there. At 10 years old, she accepted the Lord at a revival meeting West Missionary Church.

She held various jobs outside her home, but her greatest joy was supporting Vernon and raising her family. She was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman. She loved stitching, cooking, reading, and traveling. She was an excellent game player and enjoyed friendly competition!

The Zurcher family moved several times throughout Vernon’s teaching and coaching career, establishing good friends and lifetime relationships. Vera was most recently a resident of Hubbard Hill in Elkhart, Indiana, where she loved helping with preschoolers at the early learning center.

Vera was preceded in death by her husband Vernon, her son Kim, infant son, and sisters Arminda and Anna. She is survived by sons Steven (Lauretta) Zurcher of Berne, Indiana, Michael (Martha) Zurcher of College Grove, Tennessee; Robin (Teresa) Zurcher of Leesburg, Indiana; daughter Melanie (Brian) Williams of Nappanee, Indiana; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Zurcher of Nappanee, Indiana, and brother Palmer (Miriam) Inniger of Carmel, Indiana, as well as 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Following a private family burial service, a Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, October 31, at 12:00 PM, West Missionary Church, Berne. The family will meet guests at 11:00 a.m., one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Early Learning Center at Hubbard Hill or Esther’s House Center for Hospice Care.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer of Berne, Indiana