Vera retired in 1982 after 31 years working with the US Postal Service. She started out as a rural mail carrier for 17 years and then worked 14 years as a clerk, sorting mail at the Chardon Post Office, where she made many friends. Mrs. Riha was a graduate of Huntsburg High School. She wasContinue Reading
Vera retired in 1982 after 31 years working with the US Postal Service. She started out as a rural mail carrier for 17 years and then worked 14 years as a clerk, sorting mail at the Chardon Post Office, where she made many friends. Mrs. Riha was a graduate of Huntsburg High School. She was the best pie baker in Geauga County and has the ribbons to prove it. She enjoyed gardening, especially vegetables and flowers. She was very active in the Geauga County Senior Citizens Center and volunteered by doing the newsletter. Mrs. Riha worked hard on the family dairy farm, enjoyed life and had many friends. She made time for everyone she met. Adored her family, the closest thing to her heart. Vera never missed sending birthday, anniversary, graduation cards for any event, to her family and friends. Survivors include her son James (JoAnn) Riha of Hambden Twp., daughters Barbara (Robert) Green of Twinsburg and Margaret Kleppel of Painesville; 8 Grandchildren; 15 Great Grandchildren; 1 Great Great grandchild; many nieces and nephews and Her “Huncy”. Her husband Joseph Riha, whom she married in Cleveland, June 30, 1945 preceded her in death June 21, 1993. Her parents Joseph and Frances (nee: Slehofer) Svec, sisters Margaret Vanac and Dorothy Welich and brothers Stanley and Joseph Svec are also deceased.
Pam Jensen
left a message on September 27, 2011:
What a beautiful outpouring of love and kindness! Lots of visitors, flowers, and prayers for your family! I never met Vera, but I know two of her grand daughters, Michelle and Julia Roberts and her grandchildren, Nick Nate, Stephen, and Megan. They are all fine, godly, sweet, loving people! What a heritage she handed down. I am positive many of the traits of Michelle and Julia were in their genes from their wonderful grandmother-Vera. Julia and Michelle are so willing to give and help others. May God continue to strengthen the friends and family members who will miss this sweet lady. God bless you all. We are continuing to pray for you....The Jensen Family Tim, Pam, Caleb, and Alyssa
Philomena Lastoria
left a message on September 22, 2011:
Although I never met Veronica, I have been a friend of her daughter Marge for about 20 years. I know that her mother was her best friend and she will be lost without her. I always enjoyed hearing about this wonderful woman's zest for life and her cooking and baking! My deepest condolences to you, Margie, and your family.Philly
Phyllis & Russ Moore
left a message on September 21, 2011:
I first met Vera through my Aunt Lucy D'Angelo, they wre bestfriends for a long time. We did many lunches and friendshipchats with her over the years. After Aunt Lucy left us , Veraalways kept in touch. We will so miss the great letters andtalks around the Holidays. How do you ever fill the shoesof such a special person in our lives. Our Deepest Sympathygoes to her children and grandkids. She treasured you all sovery much. God Bless all of You at this sad time !
Phyllis & Russ Moore
left a message on September 21, 2011:
I first met Vera through my Aunt Lucy D'Angelo, they wre bestfriends for a long time. We did many lunches and friendshipchats with her over the years. After Aunt Lucy left us , Veraalways kept in touch. We will so miss the great letters andtalks around the Holidays. How do you ever fill the shoesof such a special person in our lives. Our Deepest Sympathygoes to her children and grandkids. She treasured you all sovery much. God Bless all of You at this sad time !
Bevin Rogers
left a message on September 20, 2011:
I remember the first time I met Gramma. It was Thanksgiving 1987. A cold snowy day I arrived with Steve, Barb and Bob to a house full of people, laughter and the most delicious food I had ever had. I was a little overwhelmed but I was brought right in, open arms, big smiles...and CONGO SQUARES! Funny memory: on the way Steve had told me that there was no toilet in the house. My response was something close to "Yeah...right..." When we walked into the house, after the introductions Steve promptly took me to the bathroom where he pointed out the sink, the tub, and the place where a toilet was SUPPOSED to be! He then took me to the front porch and pointed to the outhouse! I still crack up at that memory and what I know had to be a look of absolute disbelief on my face! Always at Christmas and birthday there would be a card. And more than anything I LOVED the letter I knew would be waiting inside, detailing the weather, the garden, the baking, a funny little story. I'm going to miss Gramma, to be sure, but there is absolute peace and comfort in knowing that I will see her again and that it will be on a forever basis!
Debi Evans
left a message on September 20, 2011:
Julia and Family:Words cannot even begin to express my sorrow; you all are in my prayers. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your Grandma. •From Isaiah 54:10 "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you."Hugs and Prayers,Debi9/20/11
Kathi (Knapik) Wyatt
left a message on September 20, 2011:
One of my earliest memories is of Vera. My sister and I moved into the house across from her farm as little girls. Farm life was new to me - I loved it - and everyday added wonderful new discoveries. Vera was working 'the fields' one day and I stood outside watching her. I had never known farm life, knew nothing about it but even then must have thought there was something especially unique about a woman on a tractor! I must have watched her for a long time. I remember when she brought the noisy tractor to a halt and walked into our lives. I told her 'my name is Kathi, I was born on valentine's day, my mom's in the basement (doing the wash) and she'd love to meet you'. From that day on she was my mom's best friend, mother of our blood sisters (Barbara and Margie), my friend-role model and mentor. Vera could raise the grain to feed the pig, slaughter the pig and then fry it up in a pan! She could do it all, there was nothing she could not do. Vera will live on in our hearts (Mary, Linda & Kathi Knapik) and she will never ever be forgotten. Only heaven could plan a fitting homecoming.
Linda (Knapik) Piwowarski
left a message on September 20, 2011:
I have so many memories of Vera, from Kathy's and my childhood and all the years since from her letters and phone calls. It was Vera who first taught me to see the beauty of a field of mustard; more than a half-century later I can HEAR her as she showed me the wind and "the sun growing into the sky." I can taste her pies, the best I've ever eaten. She was my mother's best friend, it's like losing mom again because Vera's gone. Her loyalty and love of everyone--not only for her family, which was ever first--but that great heart that included even me for so many years. I have had no one else in my life whose joy and humor and sympathy was so wide and deep and cherishing. There is a hole in this universe because of her passing.
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Pam Jensen
left a message on September 27, 2011:
What a beautiful outpouring of love and kindness! Lots of visitors, flowers, and prayers for your family! I never met Vera, but I know two of her grand daughters, Michelle and Julia Roberts and her grandchildren, Nick Nate, Stephen, and Megan. They are all fine, godly, sweet, loving people! What a heritage she handed down. I am positive many of the traits of Michelle and Julia were in their genes from their wonderful grandmother-Vera. Julia and Michelle are so willing to give and help others. May God continue to strengthen the friends and family members who will miss this sweet lady. God bless you all. We are continuing to pray for you....The Jensen Family Tim, Pam, Caleb, and Alyssa
Philomena Lastoria
left a message on September 22, 2011:
Although I never met Veronica, I have been a friend of her daughter Marge for about 20 years. I know that her mother was her best friend and she will be lost without her. I always enjoyed hearing about this wonderful woman's zest for life and her cooking and baking! My deepest condolences to you, Margie, and your family.Philly
Phyllis & Russ Moore
left a message on September 21, 2011:
I first met Vera through my Aunt Lucy D'Angelo, they wre bestfriends for a long time. We did many lunches and friendshipchats with her over the years. After Aunt Lucy left us , Veraalways kept in touch. We will so miss the great letters andtalks around the Holidays. How do you ever fill the shoesof such a special person in our lives. Our Deepest Sympathygoes to her children and grandkids. She treasured you all sovery much. God Bless all of You at this sad time !
Phyllis & Russ Moore
left a message on September 21, 2011:
I first met Vera through my Aunt Lucy D'Angelo, they wre bestfriends for a long time. We did many lunches and friendshipchats with her over the years. After Aunt Lucy left us , Veraalways kept in touch. We will so miss the great letters andtalks around the Holidays. How do you ever fill the shoesof such a special person in our lives. Our Deepest Sympathygoes to her children and grandkids. She treasured you all sovery much. God Bless all of You at this sad time !
Bevin Rogers
left a message on September 20, 2011:
I remember the first time I met Gramma. It was Thanksgiving 1987. A cold snowy day I arrived with Steve, Barb and Bob to a house full of people, laughter and the most delicious food I had ever had. I was a little overwhelmed but I was brought right in, open arms, big smiles...and CONGO SQUARES! Funny memory: on the way Steve had told me that there was no toilet in the house. My response was something close to "Yeah...right..." When we walked into the house, after the introductions Steve promptly took me to the bathroom where he pointed out the sink, the tub, and the place where a toilet was SUPPOSED to be! He then took me to the front porch and pointed to the outhouse! I still crack up at that memory and what I know had to be a look of absolute disbelief on my face! Always at Christmas and birthday there would be a card. And more than anything I LOVED the letter I knew would be waiting inside, detailing the weather, the garden, the baking, a funny little story. I'm going to miss Gramma, to be sure, but there is absolute peace and comfort in knowing that I will see her again and that it will be on a forever basis!
Debi Evans
left a message on September 20, 2011:
Julia and Family:Words cannot even begin to express my sorrow; you all are in my prayers. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your Grandma. •From Isaiah 54:10 "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you."Hugs and Prayers,Debi9/20/11
Kathi (Knapik) Wyatt
left a message on September 20, 2011:
One of my earliest memories is of Vera. My sister and I moved into the house across from her farm as little girls. Farm life was new to me - I loved it - and everyday added wonderful new discoveries. Vera was working 'the fields' one day and I stood outside watching her. I had never known farm life, knew nothing about it but even then must have thought there was something especially unique about a woman on a tractor! I must have watched her for a long time. I remember when she brought the noisy tractor to a halt and walked into our lives. I told her 'my name is Kathi, I was born on valentine's day, my mom's in the basement (doing the wash) and she'd love to meet you'. From that day on she was my mom's best friend, mother of our blood sisters (Barbara and Margie), my friend-role model and mentor. Vera could raise the grain to feed the pig, slaughter the pig and then fry it up in a pan! She could do it all, there was nothing she could not do. Vera will live on in our hearts (Mary, Linda & Kathi Knapik) and she will never ever be forgotten. Only heaven could plan a fitting homecoming.
Linda (Knapik) Piwowarski
left a message on September 20, 2011:
I have so many memories of Vera, from Kathy's and my childhood and all the years since from her letters and phone calls. It was Vera who first taught me to see the beauty of a field of mustard; more than a half-century later I can HEAR her as she showed me the wind and "the sun growing into the sky." I can taste her pies, the best I've ever eaten. She was my mother's best friend, it's like losing mom again because Vera's gone. Her loyalty and love of everyone--not only for her family, which was ever first--but that great heart that included even me for so many years. I have had no one else in my life whose joy and humor and sympathy was so wide and deep and cherishing. There is a hole in this universe because of her passing.
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