Verna Ruth Stoltzfus Adams

A bright spark passed from our midst on April 9, 2026. Verna Ruth Stoltzfus Adams passed away peacefully after dealing with a progressive neurodegenerative disorder for many years.

Verna, known affectionately to her family as Boosh, was born on February 24, 1947. Born on the family farm near Yellow House, Pennsylvania, she was the youngest of thirteen children. Even as a child her spunky, feisty nature was evident. Some of her favorite activities were exploring the woods around the farm where the family lived. Her room was full of her collections of fungi, interesting rocks and animal skulls she found.

She joined family in New Mexico to attend college and found she loved the West. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, she moved to Ruidoso and spent most of her adult life in that area. As the first director and founding manager of Home Health of Lincoln County, she successfully led the agency for over twenty years. Many patients and families received vital help from her and her team of staff members and still speak fondly of her. During that time in response to needs in the county, she also started Linco Medical and Supply Inc, an oxygen supply and durable medical equipment company. A battle with cancer led to her stepping down from the home health agency. In her true indomitable style, she successfully beat cancer and continued to run Linco Medical for many years.

Anyone who knew Verna was aware of her love of nature. As an adult, just like when she was young, her home was filled with “finds” from nature like shells, rocks, wasp nests and other natural treasures. She was happiest hiking on trails in the woods and wilderness. Many people benefited from her love of backpacking and hiking as she took them with her to share the great outdoors.

Her adventurous spirit also loved to travel and she went to all seven continents. Travel often involved helping others like participating in a build for Habitat for Humanity in New Zealand. Her last big adventure was a trip to Antarctica where the whales and penguins delighted her.

Another defining characteristic of her is her deep love for family. She was a loving parental figure to many, but especially to her great-nephew Ky Stoltzfus and great-nieces Marissa Simpson and Claire Stoltzfus. She also was close to her stepdaughter AnnMarie Lamay.

She is survived by sisters Myrtle (Eugene) Miller, Rhoda Glick, and Hazel (Lorne) Grove, a brother Leonard (Mary) Stoltzfus, her stepdaughter AnnMarie Lamay and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Sarah Stoltzfus, brothers Paul, Luke, Roy, Jason, Noah, Ira, and Alvin and a sister Marie.

She is deeply missed. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 6, 2026 at Holy Mount Episcopal Church in Ruidoso (time to be determined). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Nature Conservancy in her honor. To donate go to Nature.org, select the membership and giving tab, then select the other ways of giving tab, and then select memorial.