Verna June Hutchens

Verna “June” Hutchens, 91 passed away Dec. 26, 2015 in Brenham, Texas. A true example of “The Greatest Generation” she was born June 16, 1924 in Decatur, Illinois to Friedrich and Martha (Laskowski) Grolla. Losing her mother at the young age of 13 was just the first of many trials for June. Born into a family of six children she would witness all three of her brothers leaving to serve during WWII and only two coming home. Her husband, Kenneth Hutchens also served. June was very proud of her country and the service by her loved ones.

Being baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith was a very important part of her life.

On Sept. 10, 1949 she was married to her neighborhood friend, Kenneth Hutchens. Giving birth to their first child resulted in her having a stroke that she would have to learn to live with for the rest of the next 65 years of her life. A few years later God blessed her with her beautiful daughter.
After her husband’s death she was cared for by her daughter in Wisconsin. June’s greatest trial in life came during that time when her daughter’s sudden death came at the young age of 49. This brought her to Texas to be cared for by her son. At this time and age of 78 she would still find life again. The Washington County Senior Center would offer her new hope, friendship, and love. Going to the Senior Center became her new life – playing cards, sharing lunch, and enjoying loving friendships. She went almost every day and even jokingly consider herself employed there.

June is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Rick and Carol Hutchens of Brenham, grandchildren Ronda Drawdy and Melissa Gomez (Louie) Milwaukee, WI, Tonya Cason of Inverness, FL, Brian Hutchens (Kelly) of Sweeny, TX and step-grandchildren Misti Corn (Josh) of Washington, TX and Leland Hartstack (Trisha) of Granger , IN. 12 great-grandchildren, brother Melvin Grolla, of Denton, TX and brother-in-law Bobby Hutchens (Vi) of Scottsdale, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Roxanne (Rocky) Drawdy, and two sisters, two brothers, two brother in laws and five sisters in law.
As per her wishes she was cremated and a memorial dedication in her honor will be held at a later date at the new Washington County Senior Center. Cremation services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory, Bryan, TX. Expressions of condolence for the family can be made at callawayjones.com.
The family would like to thank Dr. William Loesch and Aurbrey Eikenhorst for all of their love and care, the staffs of Brenham Nursing and Care Center and Brenham Rest Home for making her stays there so comfortable, and last the compassion from the staff of Hospice Brazos Valley.

To all her friends at Washington County Senior Center, thank you for loving her as she loved all of you so much.

“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an after glow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy
Memories that I leave when my life is done.”

Memorial donations can be made in her name at WCHLA ,Memoria P.O. Box 401 Brenham, Texas 77833 to be used toward a memorial in June’s name at the new WCSC.

Condolences

  1. June was a friend at the Washington Senior Center and a special friend–she was missed when she went to Rest home but we know now that she is in heaven with the rest of family she will rest in peace. God Bless June. Sincerely, Dorothy Ann and James Rothermel

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