Justine Germaine (Selz) Vertnik

Justine "Germaine" (nee Selz) Vertnik, age 92, passed away April 24, 2021. Germaine was born at home on the farm during a snowstorm in Humbird, Wisconsin on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1929, to Herman and Justine Selz. She was the sixth child of their twelve children, which included six girls and six boys.

She attended a one-room schoolhouse where half of the students were her siblings. She attended St. Patrick’s School, and the Minnesota School of Business where she studied to be a secretary. She worked for the Teamsters Union.

She married Leonard Vertnik in 1951; they had five children. Germaine was a loving mother and devoted wife. She always put family first. She loved unconditionally, was accepting, non-judgmental, inclusive, kind, and not controlling or demanding.

She was the epitome of a true Christian and was a devout Catholic. She was a former resident of Plymouth, Minnesota, where she and her husband raised their family.

She supported her husband’s love of sailing, and their family sailed on Lake Superior amongst the Apostle Islands and Isle Royale for 25 years. She and her husband enjoyed their retirement in Tarpon Springs, Florida, boating, exploring beaches, traveling the US in their RV, and traveling to Europe. Germaine was her husband’s “Superior” first mate in all things for 55 years.

Germaine loved nature, wildflowers, rocks, shells, butterflies, driftwood, etc., and she was a collector of all her finds. She loved birds, gardening, sewing and music, but most of all Jesus. She had a very strong faith and prayer life.

Later in life, she enjoyed living at The Glenn in Hopkins, MN.

Germaine is preceded in death by her parents; many siblings; her husband; two daughters, Paula Dosland and Jeanne Wilkowski.

She will be greatly missed by her children, Stephen Vertnik, Lisa Schadow, Mary Harding; their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Because of her strong faith, her family is comforted that life for Germaine has not ended, but merely changed. Enjoy Heaven!

Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Friday, September 23, with visitation one hour before, at the Church of St. Mary of the Lake, 105 Forestview Ln. N, Plymouth, MN. Burial 2 PM Monday, September 26, at Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Assembly Area #4.

Memorials preferred to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.