Victorine "Vicki" (Barland) Vetter

Victorine "Vicki" (Barland) Vetter, 95, of Topeka, KS, died Saturday, August 22, 2015, in her sleep in Independence, MO of heart disease. She was born May 11, 1920, in Damar, KS the daughter of Napoleon and Olive (Saindon) Barland, she was one of twelve children. She graduated from Lecompton High School. She married Edward F. Vetter, Sr. on March 20, 1943 in Beloit, KS and had five children. Vicki had a career as a hair dresser in Topeka for a number of years and volunteered at the VA in Arizona. She loved to make candy and was particularly fond of her fudge and peanut brittle. Vicki also loved making and repairing jewelry. In Arizona and Missouri, she enjoyed volunteering at the Salvation Army helping to sort the donations and find "treasures." She was an avid painter for most of her life and hand painted many plates, pictures, and various dishes. Vicki also loved researching her family history and was particularly interested in her French Canadian roots. She enjoyed traveling around the country with her beloved husband and collecting rocks and minerals, many of which she used in her jewelry work. Vicki was very devoted to the families of the men who were captured with Edward as prisoners of war in Germany during WWII and kept in touch with them for more than seventy years. Edward preceded Vicki in death on May 3, 1982. She was also preceded in death by three children, Edward F. Vetter, Jr., Jo Ann Vetter Polland, and Barbara L. Vetter, nine siblings, Dorothy (Barland) Thomas, Beatrice (Barland) Hiler, Raymond Barland, Rosamond Barland, Delmar Barland, Evelyn Barland Swartzman, Jeanette Barland Swartzman, Irene Barland, Saraphine Barland and a great-granddaughter. Survivors include two daughters, Jean Marie Vetter of Plantation, FL, Catherine H. "Kay" Bauer of Independence, MO, two brothers, Leroy and Jerome Barland. Sixteen grandchildren, Miranda (Vetter) Easton, Edward Vetter, III, Jody Vetter, Glen Hendler, Daniel Hendler, Eric Preston, Christopher Preston, Karin (Mifflin) Walsh, Marcus Mifflin, Diana (Pollard) Penk, Jennifer Pollard, Robert Pollard, Jr., Sara (Weilert) Gillette, Samuel Weilert, Rachel Weilert, Cory Bauer, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. The family will receive friend from 10:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. Saturday, August 29, 2015, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home. Following the visitation, Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M. at Mater Dei Assumption Catholic Church, 204 SW. 8th, Topeka, KS 66604. Topeka, KS 66616. Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. The family suggest contributions in Vicki's memory be made to the Veterans of Foreign War sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.