Vernell Steiner

Lorene V. “Vernell” Steiner, 96, of Jackson, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau.

The third of seven children, Vernell was born July 18, 1929, in Perry County, Missouri, to Edgar and Hertha Ruehling Haertling. She attended school in Altenburg and Perryville, Missouri.

Vernell and Nelson H. Steiner were married August 8, 1948. Three children were born to their union, Shirley, Loretta, and Virgil. They had been married 47 years when Nelson passed away November 13, 1995.

For 75 years, Vernell has been affectionately remembered for her skill of custom sewing. She made garments without patterns and her alterations were excellent. She made countless wedding and bridesmaid dresses and once made 130 dresses for the Jackson High School Ladies Choir.

Vernell was a longtime, active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. Other affiliations include the Jackson Senior Center and the American Legion Auxiliary in Jackson.

Loving survivors include two children, Shirley (late Robert “Bob”) Aufdenberg of Jackson and Virgil Steiner of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Cathy (Todd) Reiminger; Scott (Summer) Aufdenberg; Brian (Ashley) Aufdenberg, all of Jackson; and Kimberly (Jimmy) Perez of Orlando, Florida; nine great-grandchildren, Allie and Savannah Aufdenberg, Nathan (Alice) Reiminger, Devin (Karli) Reiminger; Nolan and Vivian Reiminger, Samuel and Colton Unnerstall, Quincy Perez; and two siblings, Leonard (late Lorene) Haertling of Nashville, Illinois and Gladys (David) Prevallet of Nashville, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Verna (late Norman) Haertling of Perryville; and several nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Loretta (Chet) Going; son-in-law, Bob Aufdenberg; and siblings, Raymond (Geraldine) Haertling, Norman Haertling; Elaine (Arnold) Hadler; and Edgar (Marilyn) Haertling.

Visitation is from 9 to 11 AM, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

The Rev. Joshua Schmidt will conduct the Funeral Service at 11 AM, Tuesday, at St Paul Church. Interment will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests St. Paul Lutheran Church or Jackson Senior Center.

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.