Verna Collinson

Verna was born January 8, 1949 in the Herbert Saskatchewan hospital.  She was the first of seven children born to Abe and Gertie Penner from Main Center.  Her sisters and brothers followed soon after.  Elvira, Doris, Ray, Ron, Jennifer, and Patti June. 

The family moved to Swift Current when Verna was young and she attended Oman School.  They later moved to Waldeck where she graduated from high school.  Verna worked various jobs to support herself through high school and after moving to Swift Current after graduation.  She worked at the A&W for Mr. Quinn, the Akropol Restaurant for Big and Little George, and Pizza Plenty for Bill and Sylvia Taylor.

While she was working as a car-hop at the A&W, she shared an apartment with a friend.  The apartment was in the same building as Bob and Carol Collinson.  She became friends with Carol who introduced Verna to her brother-in-law Francis.  Francis was charming and funny and looked like Elvis Presley.  Verna was smitten.  Eight months later, Francis and Verna were married August 17 1968.   On August 17, 2023, Francis and Verna celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.   Francis would get askes how long he and Verna had been married.  Whatever the number of years it had been, he would add, “it seems like just yesterday.”

After a couple years of marriage, they started their family.  Michelle, Michael, and Joseph.  Their family grew from 2 to 5 to 16.  Michelle (Scott) Jason and Matthew; Mike (Loretta) and Isabella; and Joe (Jennifer), Mason, Hayden, Cody, Tyler, and Amelia.

Verna stayed home to support her husband and kids until they were all in school.  She babysat for a number of families back before they were called daycares and she sold Amway and Tupperware.  When the kids were older, she worked at the new Dairy Queen Brazier for Barb and Don Adam, and Zellers, when they first opened in Swift Current. 

Verna loved big gatherings and worked very hard to make sure everyone was having a good time. Family gatherings were her favorite. Getting together at Grandma and Grandpa Dueck’s place every boxing day, the Penner family Reunion in 1995, the Dueck Family Christmas parties hosted by her mom and aunts and uncles, the Dueck family picnic in the park organized by Francis and celebrating Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Penner’s. Verna hosted many family Birthday, Anniversary, and Christmas parties at her home. She sometimes had up to 35 people enjoying her hospitality.  There was always lots of delicious food, sometimes games, and many fond memories. 

Verna was a warrior.  She was very busy volunteering with many organizations that she felt needed her help.  She coached YBC and adult bowling leagues at, what was then, Frontier Lanes, in Swift Current.  She coached a Special Olympics bowling team and took them to Vancouver to compete.  She taught Pioneer Girls and Sunday School, coached girls’ softball teams, and she helped start the East Side Church library, just to name a few.  She organized many fund raisers and meetings for every event.

Verna’s first love was always her family but a close second was 5-pin bowling. She had her own bowling shoes and at least 2 sets of bowling balls weighed and measured to her exact specifications.   She loved to compete, in leagues and tournaments, and teach. 

When she coached the Special Olympics team in Vancouver, they had to fly from Saskatoon.  Although they were all excited, none of them had been on a plane before except Verna.  She had flown only once and didn’t like it.  She put on her warrior spirit and calmly led them all to Vancouver and home safely with precious memories.

When Verna’s health prevented her from working full-time, she helped Francis at his accounting office.  On days when she couldn’t get a bank reconciliation to balance, Francis would say that after she’d been doing it for 40 years, like he had, it would be easier.  She would ask Francis when pay day was.  Francis jokingly told her it was every Friday, but she didn’t work on Friday’s, so she missed it.

For most of her life, Verna had one thing on her bucket list.  Going to Alaska.  In 2014, Francis and Verna took a cruise to Alaska.  Leaving from Vancouver, they took a 7-day inside passage trip.  Verna who didn’t like to fly or be on water, loved it.  Before they left, Francis and Verna talked about a 14-day trip if Verna was OK with the shorter one, but timing and circumstance didn’t allow it.

Her relationship to God was very important to Verna.   She attended every service possible and many other church events as long as she could.  She taught Sunday School and other church programs, especially the programs for children.  She prayed and studied the bible faithfully and expectantly to learn what God had to say to her.   Over the past number of years, she studied scripture with a small group of women who became her best friends.  The meetings were held at Ruby’s, but when Verna’s health made it so she could no longer go out to the meetings, Francis asked Ruby if they would be willing to meet at their home so Verna could participate.  The ladies graciously agreed.  Verna loved these Bible Studies with her friends.  Ruby, Janie, Donna, Persis, and Heather, although Verna couldn’t always contribute, they included her in the discussions.  On occasion, after she had moved to the Gull Lake Special Care Centre, they would join with Verna out there for the singing of hymns, prayer, and conversation.  John 15:13 reads, ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”.  The family wants to say a heartfelt thank you to this special group of women who gave up their time and their convenience to be a true friend to Verna.  They worked through their own struggle and grief to be beside her and comfort her.  They called Francis to ask about Verna and to see if he needed anything and comfort him as he walked alongside her every day.  These women truly showed great love. 

In August 2018, Verna and Francis planned a 50th Anniversary Celebration.  The day before the party, Verna was admitted to the Swift Current hospital where she stayed for ten days and returned home.  She continued to struggle with pain and confusion.   August 16, 2021, the day before their 53rd anniversary, Verna was admitted to the hospital again for the same issues.  However, this time Verna would not be returning home.  After a few months in the hospital, Verna was moved to the Gull Lake Special Care Center.  The family is deeply grateful to the doctors and nurses, care aids and kitchen staff who looked after Verna during her stay in Gull Lake.  You are very special people and are appreciated for everything you did for Verna and the other residents in your care.  May God keep you in the palm of his hand for all you do.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spiri be with you all.”  2 Corinthians 13:14

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