(nee Unruh)
1931 – 2017

It with great sadness that we announce the passing of Verna on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at the age of 85, at Joseph Creek Care Village in Cranbrook.

Verna will be deeply missed by her family including her husband Guido Gri, son Christopher (Patty), daughters Penny (Robin) and Angela (Domenic), her many grandchildren Jennifer Doering, Cindy Hoffman, Jolene Mellor, Justin Doering, Nathan Heagy, Charissa Butler, Sierra Hills, Jesse Hills, Dakota Hills and Dylan Hills and their spouses as well as eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. They will all miss their “Hot Rod Gramma”.

Verna was born on November 17, 1931 in Laird, Saskatchewan. She grew up on the family farm near Duck Lake, Saskatchewan where she loved to work outside doing the farm chores. She married Henry Doering in 1950 and moved to Prince George, then on to Edmonton for two years and then Cranbrook. They had two children together, Christopher and Penny. She later married Guido Gri on September 3, 1965 and they had daughter Angela.

Verna worked for a long time as a house cleaner and later at the Cranbrook Regional Hospital for many years before retiring in 1996.

Verna was known for her wonderful singing in a local country band in her early Cranbrook years. She always enjoyed camping, playing cards and gardening. She was also an avid hockey fan and loved to watch the Canucks, Colts, and Kootenay Ice (for many seasons she was one of their season ticket holders). Verna also loved bowling and bowled in local leagues for many years. Verna was also a long time member of the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary.

Verna was predeceased by her first husband, her parents Elsie and Peter and one great grandchild, Chase, as well as eight sisters and two brothers.

Verna is survived by husband Guido Gri and all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Verna will be held at McPherson Funeral Home in Cranbrook, on Saturday March 25, 2017 at 2:00 pm.

www.mcphersonfh.com