Verna M. Wales

Verna M. Wales, age 93, of Bemidji, MN, formerly of Stambaugh, MI, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2018. On December 9, 1924, she was born in Iron River, MI, the daughter of the late Emil John and Mabel (Jenson) Johnson. She attended and graduated from the Iron River High School, with the Class of 1942. She married Gilbert “Gibby” Wales on February 28, 1946 in Iron River. The couple celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary, before Gibby’s passing in April of 1998. Verna was the kindest, most tender hearted person anyone could hope to meet. She cherished spending quality time with her family, and had a genuine joy for any and all types of people. She was active at the Senior Center and loved playing bingo there. She also took pleasure in going to the casino, traveling and seeing new things, as well as history and all things related to it. She delighted in going to the area lakes to swim and enjoy nature. Before its closure in June of 2015, she was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church of Iron River. Verna is survived by her children, Wayne Wales of Iron River, MI, Nancy Erickson of Bemidji, MN, Sally (Terry) Everson of Lakeville, MN and Peggy (Scott) Otto of Bonduel, WI; six grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; four great, great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by siblings, Wallace and Harland Johnson, Delores “Dodo” Koponen, and twin siblings, Mary Lou Egan and Marvin Johnson. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2018 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. with Verna’s grandson, Jeffrey Erickson, to officiate. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery, in the spring. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Verna M. Wales, please visit our flower store.