Vera Ruth Veteto's greatest loves were spending time with her family--especially being \"a professional grandmother"—exploring genealogy, and writing poetry. Born May 14, 1924 in Portland, Oregon, to George Edward Erickson and Sadie Ellen Bowen, Vera was a thoughtful, imaginative child who enjoyed telling stories.
After completing a business and bookkeeping course and serving as feature editor of the school newspaper, Vera graduated from High School of Commerce. She married Farrell Oliver Veteto, her husband of 67 years, on June 6, 1942. On Oct. 4 of that year she was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by her husband and then later sealed with him in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple. She began a career as bookkeeper for the Port of Portland in 1943, prior to the birth of their first child. Three more daughters were added to their family between 1944-1948. With her family, Vera enjoyed camping at the beach, and collecting seashells and agates. A wonderful homemaker, Vera was a gifted cook and gracious hostess who delighted in making her home a place of beauty.
Throughout the years Vera worked as a bookkeeper for Meier and Frank, summer session secretary for the registrar at the University of Oregon, and secretary of Meadowlark Elementary School as well as for the Corp of Engineers at the Cougar Dam on the MacKenzie River. In 1967 she had a desire to enter the medical health profession and returned to school at Lane Community College, earning her Home Health Aide certification in 1968 while serving as president of her academic class.
Vera loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and had a desire to share this love with all around her. She served as both Primary President and Relief Society President. With her husband she served on the Stake Young Women's and Young Men's Board, and they were called to two Stake Missions together, in 1955 and in 1968.
She is survived by daughters Claudia Rae Stillman (Ted), Linda Rene Atkin (J.R.), and Wendy Jeanine Parrott. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her daughter Shari Norene Veteto Bowen, and her three sisters—Bessie Montgomery Torland, Ethel Christensen Wildt and Norma Kroenig Leslie. She leaves behind 14 grandchildren and a posterity of 56 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Salt Lake Ensign Stake Center, 135 \"A\" St., in Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m., prior to the service. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Online condolences are welcome at www.larkinmortuary.com.
