Joele Leanne Veit

Joele Leanne Veit, 47, died Friday, March 20, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born with Spina Bifida, a paralyzing birth condition, she defied early health challenges and 22 surgeries to graduate from Western High School in 1998, loving the memories of the great friends she made there. She loved music, movies, painting, shopping, puzzles, cards, and various craft projects.

She lived the last 9 months at the Medilodge of Midland being closer to her siblings, attending a local church, and hanging out with some of her nieces and nephews. She has 22 nieces and nephews and 17 great nieces and nephews. Some of her happiest moments were spent in their company…or shopping…she did love shopping.

Joele, aka Babushka, was preceded in death by her parents Vernon Ronald Veit and Marilyn Margaret Veit, who used to sing a song based on Acts 3 about a lame man who was told to rise up and walk, who went “walking and leaping and praising God” in his healing.

Joele’s surviving family know that today she is doing just as the scriptures promise: walking and leaping on her beautiful feet in the presence of her Heavenly Healer. Her surviving family include her siblings, the Kristi (Paul) Elliott family, the Vernon (Melody) Veit III family, the William Veit family, the Heide Zeihmer family, the John (Marcy) Veit family, the Jordan (Maggie) Veit family, as well as her Aunt Kathleen Richardson, and her cousins Eve, Kim, and Ryan.

A brief celebration ceremony with family will be held at 4 PM on Sunday, March 22, at Midland Free Methodist Church, located at 5821 Eastman Road.