Vera Grenke

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF VERA ALICE GRENKE 1918 – 2001 Vera Alice Grenke of Rock Hall, MD died on December 10, 2001 at Magnolia Hall Nursing Center in Chestertown, MD. She was 83. Born in New York on January 20, 1918, she was the daughter of the late William Charles Sr. and Minnie Florence Hess Packer. Mrs. Grenke was the wife of the late Samuel Ernest Grenke who predeceased her in August of 1975. Vera Alice Grenke was born as Vera Alice Packer on January 20, 1918 in the small town of Horseheads, NY. The Packer family moved to the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she was raised as a “country girl” in the vicinity of Pocomoke City and Princess Anne, Maryland. She had two sisters, Florence and Eleanor, and three brothers, Frank, Jesse, and Charley, all of whom are now deceased. We recall her tales about growing up in a farm environment and walking to the one-room school in the cold and rain (uphill both ways, no doubt), but we would have to admit it was a hard life for a young lady by today’s standards. She met a young man who had moved to the Eastern Shore from Pennsylvania, Samuel Ernest Grenke, and they were married in 1936. They moved to Kent County shortly thereafter and working on several farms in the area, eventually ending up near Rock Hall. This was the height of the Great Depression and times were tough for everyone in those days. They were poor by the world’s standards, but they didn’t really know it and were not much worried about it. With a large garden and hogs and chickens, and a willingness to work hard, food was plentiful and they were able to make ends meet. It helped to know how to sew and repair mechanical things. They saved everything, from old Sears Catalogs (for toilet paper) and used bread wrappers (for left-over food), even old batteries (just in case they ever came back to life). Most of us will remember her as a “survivor”, living through the hardships of the depression and the shortages and rationing during World War II. Even after her husband died in 1975, she managed to carry on alone...working the garden, fixing the leaky faucets, repairing the garden tractor, etc. We believe she could have won the TV version of Survivor hands down. She lived alone, by choice, and did not drive a car, by choice, since she could operate most farm equipment. In her later years, she rode the Senior Citizens van to the Senior Center in Chestertown a couple of times a week and had an opportunity to interact with other people her age, go shopping, visit the doctor, etc. A few years ago, she moved to Magnolia Hall Nursing Home. Old age finally took its toll, and she died peacefully at Magnolia Hall on Monday evening, December 10, 2001. She is survived by her two sons, William Charles Grenke of Gaithersburg, MD, and Stanley Ernest Grenke of Sterling, VA; six grandchildren, Darlene Guzman, Michael Grenke, Kami Jenkins, Keri Hoffman, Eric Grenke and Brad Grenke; and six great grandchildren, Breanna Guzman, Courtney Grenke, Ashley Grenke, Hailey Jenkins, Connor Grenke and Dillon Grenke. We now take comfort in our believe she knew the Lord Jesus as her saviour and has gone on ahead to be with Him. As we say farewell, we will perhaps remember her best with her hands clasped together wishing us well and waving goodbye. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday December 12, 2001 at 2:00 P.M. at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home Route # 20 Rock Hall, Md. where relatives and friends may call one hour prior (1:00-2:00). Interment will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Rock Hall, Md. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Rock Hall Vol. Fire Dept. P.O. Box 577 Rock Hall, Md. 21661.