Vera Verniece Westerman was born June 1, 1926, at Zenda, Kansas, to Henry
   and Edna (Hensiek) Westerman. She was baptized and confirmed in St. John's
   Lutheran Church, Nashville, Kansas.
     She walked to country school and attended Lutheran School 1937-1939,
   boarding one year with Grandpa and Grandma Hensiek in town and riding two
   years with brother Harold in a Model T Ford coupe which had enough speed
   to slide into the ditch and out again.
     Following graduation from Zenda High School, Vera attended Kansas State
   Teachers College, Emporia. This was during wartime and rationing so distant
   travel was done by bus or train. College students and most teachers did not
   have cars.
     Ernest ws born January 18, 1917, in Spring Valley Township, McPherson
   County, Kansas, to Claus and Meta (Brandt) Vogts. He was baptized and
   confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church, Spring Valley. He attended country
   school and Immanuel Lutheran School.
     After serving in the U.S. Army in World War II for three and one-half
   years, he met Vera at the dedication service of Zion Lutheran Church near
   Olpe. She was teaching in the elementary school in Hartford. They were
   married June 6, 1948, in St. John's, Nashville, by Pastor H. Seyfert.
     They had three daughters. Karen was born May 3, 1953; Janette, December
   1957; and Marilyn, July 30, 1959. Karen is a teacher and is married to Ted
   Boettcher. They live in Wichita. They have two daughters, Jennifer and
   Angela. Janette is a former Parish Worker and is married to Robert Keinath.
   They have one son, John, and live in Millington, MIchigan. Marilyn is a 
   nurse and is married to Ronald DeDoner; they live in Wichita.
     During our youth, we belonged to the Walther League; Vera filled in as
   church organist, both in Nashville and Olpe, and taught Sunday School and
   VBS for many years.
     They are members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Emporia. They have farmed
   and lived in the Olpe-Madison community since their marriage. They enjoy
   their family and friends.
                         
  Source:St. John's Lutheran Church Centennial 1893-1993, Nashville, Kansas, pg. 92 
  Submitted by: Vera Vogts