Vera Turner's Obituary
Vera was born October 21, 1926 In Smolensk, Russia to Maria and Trofim Tischenkova. She was an only child, and her early childhood was idyllic, with fond memories of a close relationship with her loving parents and grandparents. Her young life was shattered when her father was drafted in WWII, and killed. Not long afterward, she was ripped from her mother’s home by the Nazis, but spared from living out her fate at a prison camp when she was picked from a group of other young girls by a doctor’s wife to be their domestic servant. She would later learn her mother was also killed, and she would never see her family again.
Now in Germany, the days were long and the work was hard for her, but she was safe in the doctor’s home and recalled his family was kind to her. Tragedy struck again for her when the doctor’s home was destroyed during a bombing. Finding themselves homeless, the family planned to return her to the camp; however, after pleading with them they agreed to free her to fend for herself.
Freedom meant being homeless, penniless, and in constant peril, but God definitely had a plan for her. She survived attacks from enemy soldiers – bullets ricocheting off the ground around her feet, and being buried in the rubble of a subsequent bombing and blinded for months from a head injury. When the war ended, after months of wandering through Germany with other refugees looking for food and shelter, she settled in and found a job working as a switchboard operator. She soon meet people who gave her an opportunity to come to America, and with their help settled in to a modest studio apartment in Tacoma, and a job as a cashier at Kress’.
In 1949, Vera met Ron on a blind date. Ron intended to take a young lady who lived in the same apartment building dancing, but she became ill and couldn’t go. The landlady told Ron she would ask Vera if she would go instead, and it was love at first sight. They dated just a few months, and married March 11, 1950. In June, they bought the home where they would both live out the remainder of their lives and, in 1959, their only daughter, Judy, was born.
Ronnie filled her life for 49 years with love, security, kindness, and loyalty. They loved to go dancing, but their passion was caring for their home and family. They were proud of their immaculate home and beautiful yard, and were devoted, adoring parents.
When Ron passed in 1999, Vera’s life was again shattered. Although she enjoyed a loving, close relationship with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren, we knew in our hearts that she would not be truly happy again until she could be with Ron.
On June 22, 2015, Vera lost her battle with cancer. She gave selflessly to her family, and we will forever miss her sweet smile, twinkling blue eyes, and the joy of being able to hug her and tell her we love her. We can only hope you’re dancing with Ron in heaven.
Vera is survived by her daughter, Judy; son-in-law, Christopher; granddaughter, Andrea (Paul); grandson, Austin (Kristen), and great grandsons Caleb and River.
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