The Live broadcast will open 15min prior to the service time of 3:00 PM
Verna Elaine Waddington left this earth peacefully on May 20th, 2023, after 8 years overcoming and living with cancer.
Mom was born at her aunt and uncle’s home on September 4th, 1943, in Milton, North Dakota to Elmer and Vera Strand (Morrison). She was raised on the family farm in northern Minnesota and had wonderful memories of her rural upbringing. The fourth of five daughters, she entered their one room schoolhouse as the only first grader. With the family relocating to Montana her senior year, she graduated from Anaconda High School. Mom was able to visit her large family in Minnesota frequently and remained very close to them all. She was extremely proud of her Scandinavian heritage.
Verna and Louis Darrell Waddington were married April 28th, 1962, in Alton, Illinois after they met in Texas while both were working interstate sales jobs. They settled in Lincoln, Montana where dad worked in the timber industry and where Brenda and later Bill were born. Their marriage ended in divorce a few years later and Mom never remarried, focusing on raising her children instead. Mom moved our family to Helena and had our home in East Helena built in 1976. Mom was a great provider and we never wanted for anything, and often had plenty we didn’t really need. She was able to accomplish these things as a single mother through her tireless work ethic. Mom frequently had extra jobs but through her long career as vice president and title officer of Surety Title Company, and the generosity of her boss Glenn Kenney, she was able to retire early and begin her world travels.
New Zealand, Turkey, Greece, Caribbean, Mexican and Alaskan cruises. Easily half of Moms trips were in service to others. She went to Costa Rica once, and Guatemala twice to help build and then caretake in different orphanages. She traveled to Haiti after their earthquake to help and minister to that devastated country. She went to Israel twice and was baptized both times in the Jordan river, “just to be sure” she joked. Truthfully, she was completely faithful, and faith filled, and enjoyed sharing her beliefs and studying in her numerous prayer and study groups. She loved her Christian sisters. Our special summer vacation road trips to all corners of the U.S. or northern Canada, continued with her grandchildren. She made a point to take each one on a separate trip in her mini-motorhome, along with weekend campouts. Our mother was fearless and always drove fast because it gave more time for adventure once you got where you were going. She went through lots of brake pads and anyone who was ever her passenger can remember the experience.
Mom loved to cook, bake, knit, crochet, sew and create special gifts for everyone around her. She worked in stained glass and her handwriting was beautiful. Mom loved the mountains and camping and sharing family history. Norwegian klubb and lefse and donuts were legendary. She was a fierce defender and supporter of all her family members and Heaven help anyone who might speak against one of her children or grandchildren; Mom wouldn’t take any guff.
Mom was pre-deceased by her parents Elmer and Vera, her sisters Jean O’Neil, Nancy Boyle, and Lynn DenBoer, brothers-in-law Leonard Hoscheid and Floyd Boyle, and son-in-law Bryce Colby and several beloved pets. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Brenda and John (Corky) Roberts of Townsend, her son and daughter-in-law Bill and Andrea Waddington of East Helena, her sister Iris Hoscheid of Anaconda, brothers-in-law Lee DenBoer of Lincoln and Tom O’Neil of Atascadero, CA, 8 grandchildren; Justin Myles (Marci), Brandon Colby, Ashley Schritz (Keith), Whitley Roberts (Joey), Stephanie Waddington, Caitlin Waddington, Will Waddington, and Jack Waddington (Sydney). She leaves 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Thank you to all our family members, and her sisters in Christ, for the loving visits. Mom was very grateful and comforted by the love you all expressed. Thanks to Dr. Weiner, Dr. Cupino, Dr. Thomas, and Dr. Bigger, the staff at St. Petes and her direct caregivers at Legacy and Beehive. Excellent care from all.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home at 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena, MT with a reception to follow in the social hall. Please feel welcome to wear purple clothing and turquoise jewelry in her honor, they were two of her favorites.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
3:00 PM
Saturday June 3, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena,
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FJ says
Am very sorry to learn of Verna’s passing.
Sending HIS loving comfort and prayers to Bill,
Brenda, grandkids and greatgrands.
Fran
Nikki Cory says
Bill
Lee and I would like to offer our condolences to you and your family. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Lee Cory
Nikki Cory
Margaret L Woo says
To Verna’s family,
I got to know Verna when she worked at Surety Title.
Glenn would have been a great boss, and it makes me happy to know that Verna was able to have such an active and fulfilling life in retirement. She was such a joy to work with. I still remember her beautiful handwriting on all the information she sent to our firm for the accounting.
My deepest condolences to all her family.
Margaret Woo
Della Dobbins says
Brenda, Bill and family. Your mom was such a beautiful woman. I have many fond memories of her. Live through the memories and vist them often. I’m sure she is having coffee with my parents and talking about us kids.
I love you all. 😘
GLENN KENNEY says
Verna was the second hire of Surety Title Co. and remainded an efficient, loyal and trustworthy office manaager untill the sale of the Company in 2000. She was the glue that kept the place together.
Darlene Abeyta says
I am so very sorry for all her family members but Verna is dancing in heaven and no more pain or suffering. I miss her dearly. I am sorry I missed her service because I didn’t know about it until 5:30 pm Saturday when I read message from Jean. I feel so bad I missed it. She was so sweet and we went to Fort Benton to see my family. They loved her too. I’ll see you again some day.