Vera A. Madlem

Vera A. Madlem, 101, of Geneseo, passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at Hammond Henry Hospital – Long Term Care, in Geneseo, Illinois. She was surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Geneseo Chapel. Reverend Dr. Christopher Ritter will officiate. Burial will follow at North Cemetery, Geneseo. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Friday, one hour prior to the funeral service. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Geneseo.

Vera was born on May 24, 1917, in Phoenix Township, rural Geneseo, the daughter of Albert L. and Lula (Evans) Sand. She graduated from Geneseo High School in 1935. She married Emil Madlem on March 14, 1940. Emil preceded her in death on November 1, 1991. Vera loved her family, her church, and her friends. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Geneseo since 1926, making her the longest time member. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women Society. Vera was a member of Richmond Hill Players and performed in numerous plays. Even when she was no longer able to continue acting, she still enjoyed attending plays there each season. Vera was employed many years at the downtown Ace Hardware and also at DeReu Skelgas.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Larry Madlem and his wife Jean; grandsons, Michael and Mark, and six great-grandchildren, all residing in the Atlanta, GA, area. Vera is survived by three nieces, Audrey Lundbald, Minneapolis, MN, Mary Allen, Rochester, MN, and Shirley Kinnear, of Houston, TX. Vera was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a sister, two brothers, and a special nephew.