Obituary of Verna Marie Barker

Verna Marie Barker

(October 12, 1923 - March 12, 2021)

With great sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Verna Barker on March 12, 2021, in Red Deer, after adversity with Covid-19. She was 97, being a widow for 25 years.

On October 12, 1923, Verna was born to her American-born parents, Ezekial and Elsie Anderson, on a hillside farm north of Excel, Alberta. She loved to reminisce about her prairie childhood, which was active and carefree, even during the Great Depression. Her beloved William returned to the Prairies to whisk her to Bowden to begin a journey involving residences in fourteen locations in Alberta accumulating many friends all the way. Numerous family members, including nieces, nephews and cousins, on both sides, were also visited.

For most of her life, Verna kept a detailed diary to reflect on treasured moments of each day. She led a healthy life highlighted by entertaining family and friends with a sense of wit, hairstyling, playing games (especially tile rummy and cards), travelling and enjoying her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As gifts, all family members felt the warmth of her many colorful afghans. Verna accepted life as it is and was always grateful to the end.

Her travels included many Alberta/BC excursions, winter vacations in Arizona, a cross-Canada/USA trip and a visit to her Anderson relatives in California. Bill and Verna visited our families often and attended all important family events.

Verna was predeceased by her husband William, daughter Lila Marie, son Arnold, son-in-law Fred, her parents Ezekial and Elsie, and all of her siblings, except Beatrice. Raised together as a close-knit family were Lawrence, Ronald, Lamar, Irene, Gordon, Beatrice, Wesley and Floyd.

Left to cherish her memory are her children LeRoy (MaryAnne), and family of Ryan, Rynae (Kris) and Troy; Velma (late Fred GermAnn) and family of Kari (Dean) and Kelli (Ray); and her daughter-in-law Lorna (late Arnold) and family of Sheldon (Virginia) and Shawna (Darryl). Verna also left eight cherished great-grandchildren: Kole, Kaine, Zachery, Dezmond, Jazmine, Maisy, Kaylie and Katelyn.

After family viewing, Verna will be laid to rest, next to William, in the Valleyview Cemetery in Camrose. They chose to enjoy their retirement in Camrose. The pandemic has restricted funeral arrangements.

We wish to extend our gratitude to the staff at Deer Meadows in Camrose and Aspen Ridge in Red Deer for their care and comfort of Verna.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Verna's memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.