Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 12:00 a.m.
Verna Whitlock
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).
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.
Guestbook (10)
Share a memory or send a tribute in memory of Verna.
Diane, Marj, Lori I am deeply sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was one of the coolest ladies I had the pleasure of meeting. She knew fashion , always looking fabulous and was such a blast. She was always proud of you three ladies and mentioned it more than you probably know. Thinking of you all and sending you hugs. Verna - you will be missed. 🩷
Absolutely Loved ! your mom …. Loved how close you girls were and how much fun you always shared I will miss seeing her at the Races …or backstretch … riding with Marj in the red hot convertible wearing her big beautiful smile you will be missed but Im sure you already found the horses and loved ones RIP keep looking after your girls… No doubt!❤️🙏
What a woman. When I met Verna over 50 yrs ago, she was the single mom of my girlfriends. I learned that Verna Whitlock had things clean, organized, correct and fashionable. She ran the St Clair woman’s wear store as well as being a single mom. She had a beautiful split level home, gorgeous chev Malibu ss and kept them immaculate. Oh and then there was the horses. Not just trail horses but glamour horses that she shared with the whole town every parade day. That took a lot of work. So, she was running a business raising kids and training horses all while finding time for fun. I grew a huge respect for Verna and she was supportive of this rag a muffin kid that I was. Really an amazing person. My thoughts are with Marj, Di and Ror. I know you were all very close. RIP Verna. Job well done.
Deep condolences to the wonderful Whitlock girls, Lori Marj and Diane. You've done so much for your Mom and always kept her happy and involved in life. I know she gave back so much to you also. Lori has told me about her thankful spirit and wonderful sense of humor. Verna had such a long , colourful life and was a real people person who took such an interest in everything and everyone. As you said, Verna was a ladies wear icon in GP and was really committed to finding just the right dress for a customer - even a teenager without much money (haha, me) I know you will all miss your Mom so much, but at times 0you'll laugh at a funny memory and know she's at peace and loves her dear girls.
My heart goes out to Marj,Di,and Lori. Your Mom had a great life and may your memories of Verna stay close . I know how much y'all loved her and she will be looking down with great joy on all of you. Hope to see you soon. Love you.
I'll always remember Verna and her daughters and admired them for their beauty, and skilled horsemanship as they were the highlight of the annual parades in Grande Prairie. I couldn't wait to see their sparkly costumes as they sat proudly on those gorgeous horses. They have all given me such fond memories of my youth and growing up in Grande Prairie. After moving away for many years and losing contact with everyone it was a beautiful reunion in summer of 2023 that I reconnected with Verna and her girls and got caught up on all the lost years. It was as if time stood still and Verna shone like a diamond with her perfectly applied signature red lipstick and beautifully manicured nails and was impeccably dressed for a meet and greet in the camp ground. It made my heart feel good to see the family love that surrounded her and how amazing her three daughters were at providing a beautiful life for her in her retired years. You all have set such a good example and you should be proud of yourselves for giving Verna the best years of her life. Enjoy all the beautiful memories you have created. May God bless you and may she rest in peace. xxoo
She was a good lady she is going to be missed
My ❤️ goes to Marj Diane and Lauri at this difficult time. Mrs Whitlock was such a beautiful soul. She game from an era that dressing your best was first and formost. She kind to everyone she would meet. I remember my mother always loved chatting with her when she went to the Prairie Mall. What can I say but she was a class act and had a heart of gold God bless Verna
Sending my condolences to Marg, Diane and Lori, you girls were precious to your mom. I remember her telling me she was a very lucky mom to have such great daughters, she will be remembered and missed by many. She was well loved 😍 ❤️ 💕
Marj, Lori & Dianne, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother. I'm very thankful that I had the honor of meeting her & getting to know her. Being with her at Park Place Mall, by Timmy's, was always a lot of fun. I loved her wit. She always had an answer for everything. She was a great Mother to her daughters. She loved teasing people & one of her hobbies was people watching. So many people would stop & say hi to her & tease her & get teased right back. She has touched so many hearts & she will truly be missed. Rest in Peace Verna.