Verna Atkins' Obituary
Verna Beatrice Sherk Atkins, 98, of Gig Harbor, passed away peacefully at home on November 5th, 2014 with her family by her side. She was born February 4th 1916, in Moorhead, Minnesota to August and Gertie Klink.
Despite the hardships she endured growing up during the great depression in Fargo, North Dakota, she somehow managed to maintain a remarkable life long sense of humor, always ready with a punch line off the cuff.
A natural nurturer, her inborn motherly instincts were called into service, ending her formal education in the 8th grade, to care for her younger siblings, allowing her mother to find work and support the family.
While double dating and acting as chaperone to her sister Bernice, she found budding love herself and soon thereafter married Ray David Sherk. Together they welcomed seven children into their family, solidifying Verna’s position as matriarch of the Sherk family.
Raising seven children in those days meant times were tough, but love and laughter abounded anyway. Years later Verna would still recount adventures of keeping up with the antics of several active children turning some of life’s hardships into some of the funniest tales ever told. For instance, managing a household while under the embarrassment of quarantine, keeping the prize Thanksgiving turkey stored in the family’s only bathroom while trying to work up the nerve to butcher it, or the loose chicken, lovingly named Verna, that took refuge under the front porch with hope of providing fresh eggs for the family, only to be tormented and poked by the boys into being nothing but a tough stewer.
In 1943 the family packed the children up into the Willys Overland Wonder and headed to new opportunities in Washington state. There Verna continued to be a stay at home mother furthering her love of motherhood. A new chapter began when Verna found herself widowed in 1950. Having never worked before and with her family to support, she began her quest by learning to drive and taking a job in the local cannery. With experience this job lead to a partnership in the Chili Bowl restaurant said to have the best chili in town. Always looking for an opportunity to improve her financial outlook she found unnerved courage to take on a job, for which she had no qualifications becoming a meat wrapper for Piggy Wiggly. This profession sustained her until her retirement in the early 70s.
Known for being light on her feet and a regular at the local dance hall, Verna loved to dance, making this hobby be HER Saturday night. She also enjoyed various card games and marbles with family and friends, enjoying a lively game of Farkle with the girls at Sound Vista.
Verna was a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. Her personality was evident in the way she liked to dress, bedazzled with bling! First and foremost, she loved her family and was steadfast in her faith. She will be surely missed.
Verna is survived by her brothers Robert and Wallace Klink; her sister Maxine Bailey (Pete Argain). Her children Dale Sherk (Gail Ferren), Paul Sherk (Lail), Evon Wilson (Carlene Hess), Barbara Grant (Bob), Gary and Keith Sherk, and many grand, great and great great grandchildren. Verna is preceded in death by her brother Marcel Klink, her sisters Bernice Sherk and Donna Harrison and by her daughter Jacqueline Jones.
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