Verna Wiest

Passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional hospital on January 3, 2022.  Verna Mae Wiest (Doram) at the age of 92, of Lethbridge beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Verna was born in Lethbridge December 23, 1929.  The fourth child of Helen “Nellie” and Charles Doram.  She became a teacher at the very young age of just 17.  She met and married Francis “Mike” Wiest in Taber in 1950.  Together they farmed in Enchant while Verna taught school until having her own children who became her new passion.  Unfortunately, Mike passed in 1962 leaving Verna with the farm and three young children.  Verna’s dad Charles stepped up to assist and kept the farm running until Verna found happiness again with David Wiest (brother of Mike).

Verna was a passionate and determined teacher.  She felt very accomplished to have taught over 6 decades in some capacity at the Enchant school, touching hundreds of children’s lives.

She loved to dance and spent many nights gliding around the floor, but she always had time for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren (we had to change the word kids to children because Verna would say “kids are goats”).  She was the biggest fan at all sports games from hockey, basketball, baseball, volleyball, music concerts and 4-H cattle shows.     

Verna is survived by her children Eileen (Barry) Leith of Coaldale, Diana Geremia of Retlaw, Theodore (Cindy) Wiest of Lethbridge; grandchildren Jamie (Stephen Magson) Geremia, Michael (Joy) Leith, Ryan (Denise) Geremia, Jennifer (David) Hodge, David (Karey) Wiest, Karrie (Chris Tinordi) Geremia, Michelle (Shawn) Van Nistelrooy, Patrick (Heather) Leith, Jessica Wiest and great-grandchildren Joshua Leith, Danika, Xander and Rylee Hodge,  Harrison Leith, Veronica and Joey Malmberg, Stephen Magson Jr., Aryn and Lucas Geremia, William and Madelaine Neilson, Tanner, Colton and Shelby Wiest, Jessa, Barrett and Brance Van Nistelrooy, Carter, Sonny and Beau Wiest;  sisters-in-law Maisie Wiest, Martha Wiest, Karen Wiest, Louise Wiest and June Fekete as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Verna was predeceased by her parents Charles and Helen Doram; brothers William (Benneth) Doram, Arthur (Florence) Doram and sister Alberta (Robert) Burton; son-in-law Gerald “Butch” Geremia; brother and sister-in-law’s John (Vera) Wiest, Phyllis (Art) Howg, Willie (Dorothy) Wiest, Lola (Roy) Batalden, George (Jessie) Wiest, Roy Wiest, Cecil (Olivia) Wiest, Elsie (Allan) Bryant, Phil (Caroline) Wiest, Reginald Wiest and Richard “Dick” Wiest as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  Verna was also predeceased by her two beloved Wiest husbands Francis “Mike” and David as well as special grandson Derek Wiest.

A public Viewing will be held from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta. Due to the fact that in person attendance at the visitation is limited, those who wish to attend may do so by selecting the ‘Click here to RSVP” link on Verna’s obituary to schedule an appointment. Or you may call Martin Brothers at (403) 328-2361 to schedule a time. Please do not arrive earlier than scheduled. 50 individuals will be allowed in every 15 minutes so please be mindful of the 15 minute window assigned to you.

A Funeral Service will be held at 12:30pm, on Friday, January 7, 2022, at ENCHANT COMMUNITY HALL, with Pastor Jeff Frostad, officiating. We will be following the REP Program with the covid-19 restrictions. Everyone will need either their covid passport or a negative covid test. The family invites those who wish to watch the service VIA recording after the service by going to https://www.fhwebsites.org/ymb/obituary/Verna-Wiest. Interment to follow in the Enchant Cemetery.

Donations can be made to Enchant Historical Society, Box 1991, Enchant, Alberta     T0K 0V0, to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta Box 2211, Lethbridge, Alberta        T1J 4K7 or a charity of your choice.

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