Verena Anna Metzler

Funeral Mass for Verena Anna Henscheid Metzler, 80, of Gainesville, is set for 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2013 at the St. Peter's Catholic Church, with the Rev. Ken Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Peter's Cemetery under the direction of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home. A rosary with visitation to follow will be held at the funeral home at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 27, 2013.

Verena Anna Henscheid Metzler was born October 8, 1932, in Myra, the second child of Henry and Anna Flusche Henscheid. After graduating as Salutatorian from Sacred Heart High School in 1950, she worked for two years at Cooke County Electric Coop. During that time, she met Gerald Metzler and they were married on October 28, 1952, a union that would last 55 years until Gerald's death in 2008. Verena and Gerald were members of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Lindsay.


In 1963, Verena and Gerald moved with their 3 sons from a small house in Gainesville to a new home in the country a few miles north of Lindsay on FM 1200. For 40+ years, Verena reared children, ran a household and farm, and cooked hardy meals for family, friends and numerous hay haulers, not to mention helped Gerald and his brothers and wives operate Metzler Bros. Drive In. In addition to serving barbecue till 1996, Verena and Gerald raised cattle and chickens; harvested crops; grew gardens; and gathered and shelled pecans. In her spare time, Verena enjoyed traveling, reading, music and dancing. One of her favorite destinations was Hot Springs, Arkansas, which she and Gerald visited every summer and fall for years, often hosting friends and family. After retiring in 1996, Verena continued to treat her children and grandchildren to delicious food, generous gifts and unending hospitality. The family was always encouraged to visit anytime, eat and drink all they wanted, and stay for days – because her house was still their home. Verena would go out of her way to make a meal or a favorite dessert when she had visitors. Besides her unbeatable cooking, Verena will be remembered for her hard work, self-education, independent spirit, and example of faith and fortitude. She taught her family to pray for help with every problem in life, and inspired many by managing chronic health problems with little complaint.


Verena leaves behind four children, their spouses and 8 grandchildren: Mark and Susan Metzler of Gainesville and son Scott; Jerry and Glenna Metzler of Gainesville and daughters Christina, Stephanie and Allison; Roy and Sandy Metzler of Denton and children Samantha, Jill, Kevin and Jason; and Debbie and Tim Voth of Keller. She is also survived by brother Rufus Henscheid and wife Betty of Muenster; sisters Florence Day and husband Bill of Fort Worth, and LuRose Schumacher and husband Albert of Rhineland; and sister-in-law Carol Henscheid of Muenster. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, her parents, her sister Janie Grewing and brother Ted Henscheid of Muenster; and in-laws J.C. Darilek, John Kelley and Anthony Grewing.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter's Church Renovation Fund, the Arthritis Foundation or the American Heart Association.