Vedna Elaine Lemley Girten was a wonderful mother to four children.  She was always very supportive of her all of her children, providing them with unconditional love.  She  constantly encouraged them to do their best, to get a college education and serve their community and their country. All four of her children have college degrees and all four went into public service. Vedna was an active member of the PTA at her children's schools. Her children were in the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts and her two youngest girls were Camp Fire Girls.  Vedna helped out with scout activities and was a Camp Fire Girl Leader for her youngest's Blue Bird troop. After her children were grown she went back to nursing at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and was Head Nurse on the medical floor during the third shift. Vedna enjoyed reading, good restaurants and going on cruises. She always said that one of her greatest achievements were her children, so here is a little more about them.

Her oldest child was Candace Vedna.  Candy initially studied art and drama at Marietta College. She obtained her bachelor's degree from Kent State University in social work.  Candy worked in the social work arena for a number of years, helping people who could not always help themselves. Candy married Jim Arcaro and had two  children, David Arcaro and Angela Arcaro. David married Erin, and Angela married Brad Wade and they have two children, Riley and Emily Wade. Candy looks forward to spending time with her children and grandchildren and enjoys going on cruises.

Her second child, Gary Stanley, was an account major and obtained his bachelor's degree in accounting.  He served in the Marines and worked for the Federal government as a Savings and Loan Inspector and was manager of several regions. Gary has run a marathon in all 50 states and is a member of the Marathon Maniacs. He married Luanna and they have a number of children,  grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gary volunteers for a variety of activities at their church, including teaching Bible. Gary and Luanna enjoy traveling around the country in their RV and going on cruises.

Her third child, Beverly Elaine, obtained her bachelor's degree in biology from Miami University and taught high school biology and coached.  She also earned a master's degree in exercise physilogy from Akron University and her Ph.D. from Ohio State University.  Bev did postdoctoral work at the Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, and was a researcher at Wright State University School of Medicine. She worked in the pharmaceutical industry for almost a decade and has worked at NASA for almost 15 years. Bev supports many outreach events and is a member of the Speakers Bureau. Bev enjoys reading, flying of all kinds and hunting and collecting fossils and meteorites.

Her fourth child, Rebecca Lee, obtained her bachelor's degree from Wright State University in elementary education.  Bec worked as a child care worker and substitute teacher for several years before becoming an elementary school teacher at East Dayton Christian School.  She taught fourth grade for many years and then later became a fifth/sixth grade math teacher and head of the department.  Bec married Fred Strong and they raised their grandchildren, Dillon and Erika Strong. Bec enjoys reading, playing the flute and is always available to give her friends and family a helping hand when needed.

 Vedna Elaine lemley Girten was an Army Nurse and an officer during World War Two (2nd Lt.).  She served in North Africa and Europe.  Some of her most vivid memories included taking care of thousands of wounded soldiers, first in the states, then in the Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals.  Some were very vivid such as hundreds of soldiers having to jump into burning oil after the ship carrying them was hit and having to treat the severe burns with maggots.  Other memories were of injuries to herself, such as her sliding and scraping herself down the side of the large ship after her unit made their way across the Atlantic when they first landed in North Africa, and three years later, dancing with Eisenhower after the invasion of Normandy. She talked about shaking the scorpions out of her boots when she woke up in North Africa and watching out for the camels who would both spit and bite if provoked. She sent money home to her widowed mother to try and help with her younger siblings who were still living at home during the war.

 Vedna Elaine Lemley Girten was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She was one of eight children born to Zelma and Stanley Lemley in New Martinsville, West Virginia.   Her siblings were named David, Elnora, Mary, Rose Marie, Thomas, Betty and Joretta. Vedna graduated from Magnolia High School in New Martinsville, WV and received her Registered Nursing degree from Reynolds Memorial Hospital.  Vedna was a Second Lieutenant  Army Nurse during World War II and served overseas in North Africa and Europe.  After the war, Vedna married Owen Girten and had four children.  The children were named Candace Vedna, Gary Stanley, Beverly Elaine and Rebecca Lee.  The Girten's lived in Dayton, OH, while the children were growing up. Vedna worked at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, OH and retired from there. Rebecca and Fred Strong lived wth her in Huber Heights, OH, for several years after her retirement, and Vedna later moved to San Diego, CA with her daughter Beverly.

Vedna had two grandchildren, David Arcaro (wife Erin)  and Angela Arcaro Wade (husband Brad), and two great grandchildren, Riley and Emily Wade, a daughter-in-law, Luanna Girten (Gary's wife) and two sons-in-law, Fred Strong (Rebecca's husband) and James Arcaro (Candace's husband),  several step grandchildren  (Jeff and Kim Strong, and James Porter and Nancy Butler ) and step great grandchilren including Dillon and Erika Strong, Jeffree and Stevie Lamblin,  and great great grandchildren Beth Ann Brink, Dawn Koesgi Roberts, and Donald (Buddy) Koesgi. Her great great great grandchildren include Beth's children Taylor and Halley and Dawn's children, Hanna, Brianna and Jordan. She also had numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncle and cousins.