Vernita L. Fischer-Garber

Arthur and Lucille Eckhoff Stucker welcomed daughter number four into their family on July 16, 1929, naming her Vernita Lena.  She joined sisters, Ardella, Arlene and Lavera on the family farm located north of Stover; where she grew up enjoying the companionship of older sisters and before long sharing in the responsibility of caring for her two younger sisters, Jean and Joan.

Arthur and Lucille had Vernita baptized August 4, 1929.  They were members of the Christ Lutheran Church in Stover where Vernita was confirmed on June 13, 1943.

She attended school in Stover, graduating in 1947 from Stover High school.  She followed her sisters by attending Central Missouri State Teachers College and received a teaching certificate.  Before long her plans changed when she began a courtship with her future husband Leon A. Fischer, who was serving his country in the Army during the Korean War.  On June 4, 1950 the young couple married at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stover.  Following Leon’s discharge from the service they returned to their hometown and opened the OTASCO home and auto supply store in downtown Stover, providing quality products and services to many families in the Stover area.

As their business grew, so did their family, and before long they welcomed son, Steve and then daughter, Pam into the Fischer home.  Vernita’s time was spent running the store with Leon and being a busy mom of two children; attending all of their school activities, from sporting events to academic achievements and everything in-between.

Vernita and Leon were staples in the Stover community, active in their church and with various organizations within the community.  One of Vernita’s passions was her involvement in the Republican Party in Morgan County, representing not only her local government but the State of Missouri by attending the National Convention in 1984 and later the presidential inauguration of Ronald Reagan in Washington DC.

With the death of Leon on August 24, 1992, Vernita stayed busy with the store for several more years and also enjoyed the role of being grandma to her young grandchildren.  After closing the store she decided to take on an entirely new venture, joining the Morgan County Mental Health Center as an activity aide.  For the next seven years Vernita devoted her time to working with and helping those in need.

As fate would have it, Vernita met Donald Garber, who was a widower and before long a romance began.  On January 2, 2000, Don and Vernita married at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Weldon Spring and for the next 21 years they enjoyed each other’s companionship, traveling, dancing, eating out and visiting family and friends.

Her faith remained important to her and her commitment to her church was evident.  She was an active member of the Christ Lutheran Church where she was instrumental in the design and building of the pavilion; which provided a covered ground level entrance and exit, as well as shelter for Sunday school and church activities.

Vernita cherished family time, especially spending time at the lake, attending her grandchildren’s activities, and the many Stucker family gatherings.

It was late Sunday afternoon, February 21, 2021, at the University Hospital in Columbia, with her children and husband by her side, that Vernita received her promise of eternal life.

Those who will carry on her legacy include her husband Don Garber of the home; her two children and their spouses; Steve and Debbie Fischer of Stover and Pam and Jim Garr of High Ridge; her grandchildren, Gerrit Fischer and wife Sarah, Grant Fischer and wife Dr. Amanda Fischer; Casey Murphy and husband Jesse and Hayley Garr, her great grandchildren, Maxwell and Jett Fischer, Aria Fischer and Parker and Blakely Murphy.  She is also survived by her sister, Jean Hagedorn and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews along with other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband Leon, she was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters; Ardella Fischer and husband Lester, Lavera Kipp and husband Warren, Arlene Kolm and husband Roland and his second wife, Freida, Joan Bauer and husband Larry and brother-in-law Bob Hagedorn.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Thursday, February 25, at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stover with Pastor Tom Tuura officiating.  Funeral services will be 12:00 noon Thursday, February 25, at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stover.  Burial will be in the Stover Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Christ Lutheran Church.

The family does request masks to be worn inside the church.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Vernita L. Fischer-Garber, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

Per the family, masks are requested.

Per the family, masks are requested.

Thursday, February 25, 2021 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Christ Lutheran Church 505 West Second Street Stover, MO 65078

Per the family, masks are requested.

Thursday, February 25, 2021 12:00 PM

Christ Lutheran Church 505 West Second Street Stover, MO 65078