Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Verna Gette – wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend to many. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side following a short battle with brain cancer. Verna will be deeply missed by her husband of 32 years, Garry, her son Jeff (Sheila) Lanz; her grandchildren Mathew (Daphne) and Madison (Garreth), and many extended family and friends. Verna was predeceased by her first husband, Leo Lanz; her parents, Irene and Severin Grindeland, and her sister, Shirley Grindeland.
Verna was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the second daughter to Severin and Irene Grindeland and sister to Shirley. When Verna was five years old, the family picked up roots and moved to Calgary, Alberta, where she would live until she finished grade 12 at Forest Lawn High School. After completing a nursing aide program, Verna joined some friends and moved to the Yukon seeking a higher paying job. She was able to secure employment doing payroll for 135 miners at Keno Hill Mines, and not only fell in love with the beauty of the Yukon Territory, but also a miner named Leo Lanz. The couple were married on April 3, 1969 and soon welcomed a son, Jeff, on January 30, 1972. Verna always said she didn’t need anymore children as they got it perfectly right the first time. It was obvious Jeff was the apple of her eye.
In 1977, the family moved to an acreage outside of Ponoka, Alberta in the Homeglen area. The family lived in a garage until they could finish building their home, and over the next few years, Verna would contract the construction of many more of their homes. She worked at Hudson’s Bay Wholesale, the Ponoka Post office, and sold real estate for Century 21 Realty, all while running a household, maintaining an immaculate yard, and devoting time to her family.
Following the passing of Leo in 1987, Verna started another chapter of her life, marrying Garry Gette in 1989. With Jeff off to university, the two would soon be two peas in a pod. Garry brought out the inner country girl in Verna, a life she immensely enjoyed. She loved their time on the farm, which included feeding calves, growing a big vegetable garden, and grooming their yards into prize worthy masterpieces. She took such pride in their properties and was not afraid to put in the hard work to reap the rewards.
Verna was thrilled when she was blessed with two grandchildren, Mathew and Madison. She was always so happy to spend time being a grandma and could not have been prouder, regularly sharing stories and photos when visiting with friends and family. When the grandkids came to visit, you couldn’t wash the smile off Verna’s face.
Verna and Garry were able to enjoy many trips together, but cruises were an absolute highlight. She said she was so lucky to see so many beautiful places and meet so many nice people along the way. Aside from their yearly trips, Verna and Garry enjoyed being snowbirds, spending winters in Arizona for 30 years. She treasured the sunshine and the break from the cold Alberta winters. Her generosity to the Mexican families they befriended was a testament to her kind hearted, generous nature. She took care of her friends and family as if it was her only job in the world. She was fiercely independent, never wanting to bother anyone, and taught her son to be the same. She was an incredible woman.
The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff of the Golden Leisure Lodge and the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre for the loving and compassionate support they provided for Verna and her family in her final months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, STARS, or a charity of your choice.
The funeral service will be held at 1:00 on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at St. Stephen Parish, located at 5128-53 Street in Lacombe. Following the service, our family would like to invite everyone to join us in the church hall to visit and offer condolences. Due to current COVID risks and restrictions, we are unable to serve food or beverages, and masks must be worn at all times while inside the church.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Verna Maureen (Grindeland) Gette, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Verna Maureen Grindeland Gette June 30 1947 February 10 2022 (age 74)..
Death notice for the town of: Wetaskiwin, Province: Alberta