Verna Schenk was born a little farm girl in Halcourt AB, the second of seven children: Doris (Bob Eggen), Mom, Annie (Allen Lowe), Fred (Ilene Velve), Thelma (Eldon Ray), Helen (Henry Chateau) and Lorraine (Orest Oucharek).

She married our Dad, George Whitlock in 1948 in Grande Prairie and raised the three most cherished people in her life, Marj, Diane (Best in Show 1953 in spite of slightly crossed eye) and Lori.

Verna was an icon in ladies wear for 32 years, beginning at St Clair Shop on Richmond Ave. A lady passing through Lethbridge recently approached us and said, “Verna Whitlock! You sold me my first wedding dress!” Everyone remembers her.

Mom excelled at everything she did. First it was bowling and we remember that she’d be off to the Western Canada Roll Offs at Easter time. Then came many years of raising and showing horses with Lori who was a very accomplished rider horse woman, and lots of parades with many family members, Doris, Thelma, all of us. On top of career and horses, Verna kept an immaculate yard and beautiful flowers which she won “Communities in Bloom” awards for.

At around 60, Mom got into golf and of course she became a very good golfer. She took it seriously with memberships at the Dunes and GP Country Club with her good friend, Larry Foster.

Lastly there was crib which became a nightly ritual with Marj up until a few months ago when her eyesight just became too dim.

The past five years, Mom lived with Marj and Diane in Lethbridge but if you asked her where she lived, it was always Grande Prairie. Just visiting.

She went for car rides every day to check out the geese at Henderson Lake, the pheasants and critters at the river bottom and whatever was happening. Mom was pretty much a fixture at the mall (Tim Hortons and NY FRIES) where she’d meet with friends, especially Bob, and make new ones.

Friday nights regularly at the casino for the bands and the dancers.

All in all, it was a good full life. Every night Mom would say, “Thank you for the good day.” How sweet is that?

At Verna’s request, no funeral service will be held.

In memory of Verna, please consider an act of kindness for a friend, animal or a stranger.