Verna Alma Smade, 101

Verna Alma Smade, 101, “went home to heaven” on Friday, Dec. 26, 2014.

She was the daughter of Andrew and Julia (Eggers) Rockelman; born on Dec. 8, 1913, in Jefferson City, Missouri. She was a baptized child of God.

Verna is survived by her daughter, Susan Stark and Bill and their children: Suzanne Elliott and Wayne and their children Stephanie and Sam; Paul Stark and Kim and their children Kara, Shelby, and Gideon; Lisa Bloom and Ryan, and their children Connor, Taylor, and Tessa; Krista McKee and Blaine, and their children Blaine Walter and Eva; John Stark and Mickey; David Stark and Lisa; and Michael Stark. Verna was blessed with seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Verna was a loving grandmother and shared many baptisms, birthday parties, boat trips, and sporting events with her loved ones.  At 100 years of age she was knitting potholders for every family.

Verna loved her Lord. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell, and walked up to the communion rail on her 101st birthday.  She wanted to go home to heaven and “God gently answered her.” She was able to kiss and say goodbye to daughter Susan, son-in-law Bill, and granddaughter Suzanne; then “she closed her eyes on earth and opened them in heaven.”

In eternity, Verna joins her husband Gene L. Smade; sisters Pricilla Beck, Irene Meier, Miranda Beck; and brother Ralph Rockelman.

Verna loved God for 101 years, and “now she is with Him for eternity.” Praise God from whom all blessings flow. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Friends are encouraged to visit the website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family.