Everett Verley went to be with the Lord on August 28, 2015, at the age of 90 years. Everett was born May 5, 1925, in Wyola, Montana, to Alfred Verley and Mary Pearl Welch Verley. His family moved to Libby, Montana when he was a baby and at the age of 5 years they moved to the Flathead Valley. It was there that he became a farmer at heart. He loved being outdoors with its many activities.
He was drafted into the Army to serve his country during World War II. He served in the field artillery and communications in France and Germany. When the war ended he received an honorable discharge and returned to the farm in the Flathead area. This is where he met his future wife, Ruth Ellen Cusick. On February 24, 2015, they celebrated 67 years of marriage. Born to that union were five children: Edith Witham, Kenneth Verley, Ronald Verley, Sandra Getz, and Faye Verley. They were foster parents to Laurie Boyce and Roy Yerian and many more and loved them all dearly.
Everett worked until retirement as a millwright for the Diamond International Company. At that point he opened Ace Golf Cart Service which did sales, manufacturing, and installation of golf cart accessories. He then joined Fish, Wildlife and Parks, where he served for 15 years in parks from Whitefish to Black Sandy, White Sandy, and Spring Meadow. His close association with folks from all over the country, as well as other countries, were many. He held them in high esteem.
Everett is preceded in death by his son, Ronald Everett Verley, daughter Faye Ellen Verley, his parents, his sisters Geneva, Dorothy, Alison, and Mabel, and his brothers Clifton, Alvord, and Harold.
He is survived by his loving wife Ruth, children Edie Witham (Bob), Ken Verley (Kathy), and Sandie Getz (Ed); grandchildren Curtis Witham, Christy Witham, Marcia Boris, Katie Verley, Jody Spivey, Brendan Getz, Natalie Smitham, Cody Getz, Kole Verley, Kyle Verley, Kaleb Verley, Taylor Tennant, Felicia Tennant, and Steven Tennant, as well as many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and foster children.
Everett was a great teacher of life’s lessons and growing up with his wisdom to guide his flock has been a blessing. A day never goes by that we don’t touch on some bit of sage guidance from him.
Everett was a very kind and happy, fun-loving person. He was very proud that he had lived longer than anyone in his family and that he was married to one wife longer than any other family member.
The patriarch of the family has turned the reins over to the next generation, as he has gone forth to make a place for us with our Heavenly Father.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 4 at First Lutheran Church, 2231 E. Broadway. A reception will immediately follow the service in the social center of the church. Burial with military honors will follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Everett.
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday September 3, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 4, 2015
First Lutheran Church
2231 E Broadway
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Friday September 4, 2015
First Lutheran Church
2231 E Broadway
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
After the Reception
Friday September 4, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroe's Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday September 3, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 4, 2015
First Lutheran Church
2231 E Broadway
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Friday September 4, 2015
First Lutheran Church
2231 E Broadway
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
After the Reception
Friday September 4, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroe's Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
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Kathleen Broussard says
We are so sorry about Everett. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Keith, Kathleen, and Kory Broussard
Dolores Verley Kukuchka says
Uncle Everett was the only one of my Dad’s brother that I saw more than once. The first time was in 1952 when Everett and Ruth brought my Grandmother to Wyoming. We had never seen any of them before that time. My sister, Ellen and I were calling him Uncle Everett and he informed us that Uncle Everett lived over the hill as he had an uncle named Everett Welch. The next time was when he lived in Superior in 1959 and he took us on a tour of the Diamond International Co where he worked and showed us how matched were made. The next time was 1968 and we went to his house for the 4th of July. Had a ball game in the cow pasture and He was second baseman. That base kept moving as the cowpies dried up and he wanted a fresh one for us to use. The next time was at the Verley family reunion in 1982 and he tired to get me to go water skiing. Wouldn’t do it because I was afraid he would get me out in the middle of the lake and dump me. The last time was 2004 when we went to Helena for another reunion. We were getting on a boat for a trip down the river and he was leaning against the rails on the dock. My boys, Kurt and Karl, remarked how much he looked like their grandfather. I had many talks with him during that reunion. I just wish I could have gotten up there to see him after that. May he rest in peace.
Kimberly Ann Berry says
I’m so very sorry about your loss 😢 Everett was a very good man & I was intrigued how him & Ruth were Married for 67 years 😊 you don’t see that anymore. I always said I would love to sit & listen to all there story’s & put them in a book, they have lived & gone through America’s Greatest changes & growth in history & to hear it from them I could listen to them all day. I don’t have any family but I’d have say if there was any 2 people I’d want too call family it would be them. I was moved by that fact that despite Everett’s health he went to work every day till he no longer could & what an inspiring example of Responsible & Dedication for so many to learn from. I didn’t find out of his passing till quite a while afterwards & it saddened me to hear of his passing & wasn’t able to attend his funeral but I feel so blessed to have known him,, his Daughter Faye his lovely wife Ruth & some of the family. I realize I’m writing this years later but I wanted say it was a blessing to know him & he is & will be truly forever Missed & Never Forgotten.
My heart ❤ & prayers goes out to everyone family & friends & all. Who had the pleasure of knowing him.
God Bless
Kimber Berry 💙💙💙