Veronica M. Smude, age 81 of Maple Grove, formerly of Loretto passed away Sunday December 20, 2015. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, December 26, 2015 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Loretto. Interment was in the church cemetery. Veronica was born on December 9, 1934 to Joseph and Elizabeth (Kolb) Wensmann in Melrose, Minnesota. Veronica was the youngest daughter of 11 children. She attended country school before graduating from Melrose High School. Veronica had a strong faith. She loved her family and was always there for them. She loved to play cards, board games and puzzles with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing 500 with her siblings, nieces and nephews. Catering weddings and working V.F.W. functions were a large part of her life. Veronica put a lot of love into making quilts, cross stitching, bowling, dancing and driving others to and from church and senior center functions. Veronica is survived by her children Cheryl (Robert) Smith, Vicki (Dale) Tobroxen, Denise (Rick) Stillson and Duane (Robyn) Smude; 13 grandchildren Kevin, Amanda, Scott, Weston, Danielle, Robert, Kayla, Kurtis, Ryan, Tyler, Alexis, Logan, and Kendra; 3 great grandchildren Noah, Cole and Kelsey; siblings Marion (Bernie) Brisk, Don Wensmann, Dorothy Roering and Adolph (Mildred) Wensmann. Veronica was preceded in death by her husband Reinhard “Butch” Smude; parents Joseph and Elizabeth Wensmann; siblings Mildred (Paul) Winkels, Marcella (Al) Bueckers, (Rita Wensmann), Rose Steffans, Jerome Wensmann, Herbert Wensmann, (Ben Roering) and Leroy (Beattie) Wensmann. The family would like to thank the staff at Augustana Regent at Burnsville for the wonderful care and compassion they provided our mother over the past four years and to the staff with Grace Hospice for the special care and added services they provided her during her last few months. You were a blessing to her.