Verna Elma McCleery's Obituary
Verna was born 98 years ago to Fred and Katie Grothe in Millbank, South Dakota.
Her father passed away when she was 8 years old. In later years, her mother remarried and moved the family from Millbank to Sydney, Montana where she enjoyed her education and graduating from Sydney High School with the class of 1934.
In 1941, Verna moved to Washington state where she lived in Tacoma for the rest of her life. Her greatest joys in life were watching her family grow to the great numbers they are today, along with a special love of her home, gardening, and friends.
Verna was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Ralph Grothe and Daryll Zadow; husband Robert McCleery; son-in-law C.H. Carrington; grandson Jeffrey Malm and great-grandson Tyler Verone.
Verna is survived by daughters Patricia Carrington of Puyallup, WA; Janice (Joseph) Verone of Tacoma, WA; son Edward (Debbie) McCleery of Seattle, WA; brother Dale (Elma) Zadow of Richardson, TX; sister-in-law Mary Zadow of Tacoma, WA; 9 grand-children; 15 great-grand-children; 3 great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family in Washington, California, and South Dakota. Honoring Verna’s request there will be no services held.
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