Verna Carlson

Verna Carlson passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on May 24, 2024, at the Hospice at Glengarda in Saskatoon, SK. Verna was born on her parents' farm north of Invermay on July 18, 1929. She is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Gustav, a daughter at birth, grandchildren Darren, Marcianna, Cory, and Kelly, son-in-law Nestor, parents James and Bertha Smith, and siblings Jean, Dorothy, Edith, Arthur, Vera, Donald, and Earl. She is survived by her children Judy (son Jason), Calvin (Darlene), Owen (Raelene), and Sharon (Eugene), as well as 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

During her childhood years, Verna attended Loch Sloy School north of Invermay. World War II altered the lives of many girls and young women of her era, as they left school earlier to support the war effort, working at jobs normally done by men in peacetime. Verna worked at various jobs close to and on the family farm. In her later teens, she worked as a nurse's aide at Wadena Hospital.

In October 1948, she married Gustav Carlson. They began farming at that time and started a family. Due to very wet years in the early '50s that resulted in several crop failures, they were forced to seek another livelihood. Gus and Verna, with their two young children, moved to Ontario, where Gustav worked for General Motors in Oshawa. They returned to resume farming in the spring of 1958. Verna raised four children, grew large gardens, and did mixed farm chores. They sold the last of their cattle and retired in 1980.

Gustav passed away in 2001, and Verna remained in their home in Invermay. She enjoyed tending her garden and flower beds and making daily trips to coffee row. In 2013, at the age of 84, she moved to Saskatoon to be closer to family for the remainder of her life.