1924                            VERDA JEAN HOUSER                       2024

Verda Jean Houser (Nee Wrightson) was born Oct 7, 1924 in Unity, Saskatchewan to parents Isaac and Florence May Wrightson (Nee Beaumont). Verda grew up southwest of Unity with her two sisters, Madeleine and Irene.

Verda contributed and worked on the farm learning at a young age the value that comes from taking on responsibility, working hard and giving her best effort. Her first off the farm job was a Telephone Operator tasked with manually connecting people on a switchboard - living over the next 80 years she grew with technology adapting to an IPAD, Facetime and video call with family and friends.

Verda always loved music and was very talented on the piano. She played by ear and could sit down and almost effortlessly play an accompaniment to any piece in whatever key suited her partner. Playing piano at family gathering, dances and social events are very fond memories we all cherish. Music is what brought her and her future husband Ebbert Paul Houser together.  He wanted to learn to play a Saxophone and he asked her to accompany him – he apparently needed a lot of practice….

Paul and Verda were married Oct 19, 1943 in Hayter, Alberta.  They farmed in the Senlac area at the West Houser Homestead until 1956, when they moved to the Rosemary District on the Wrightson farm just southwest of Unity, where Verda was raised.  Paul passed away in 1975 and Verda continued farming with her two sons, Ed and Ray Houser, always enjoying the farm life and was so grateful that her sons continued on the family farm.

Verda was involved with the church at North End School and when she moved back to the Unity area, then became a member of Unity United Church in 1957 where She served on the Board Administration for 5 years, was on Visitation and the Ladies Committee well into her 90’s. 

She contributed to other community services over the years some of which were volunteering as the Education Convener for District 30, a 4-H Leader for the Rosemary Club, a member of the Lioness Club and later on at the Courtesy Car and Long-Term Care.

Mom / Grandma was a great cook but baking stood out - her Buns and Molasses cookies were the best.  Memories for us kids were smelling those freshly baked buns and eating one or two or more! Raspberry Swirl cookies or better known as “Great Grandma Cookies” were also a hit the Grandchildren.

Mom and Dad farmed together a commitment and venture they did well.  Teaching us kids “if you were going to do a job give it your best or don’t bother doing it at all”.   It is a trait ingrained in our family and we are proud of it.

In 1980 Verda moved off the farm into her own house in Unity. Then in 1999 she moved into Luther Place which became her home for the next 24 years.  Here, she made many friends and found a community to play games, share meals & activities. We are truly grateful for this community being so inclusive and looking out for each other including our Mom over the years.

Verda had many hobbies like beadwork, refinishing furniture, collecting music boxes, gardening and writing poems for family gatherings. She enjoyed Quilting with a Luther group which raised funds for improvements around Luther Place in the early days. Her children and grandchildren also received some of these beautiful treasures.

Verda lived 99 years and saw a lot of changes through those years in the world. She was fortunate to travel all over the world with different friends and family members to enjoy all kinds of adventures. Places like Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Figi, Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Canada’s Maritime coast to the Vancouver Island Sunshine Coast and many North American States. She went on three cruises the Caribbean, Alaskan and Mexican Riveria.

She enjoyed camping and fishing trips in Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC with family still even doing this recently (2021) catching some of the first and biggest fish.

Our Mother had a great sense of humor and enjoyed playing games and cards with friends and family especially Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

She loved animals and had many pets and enjoyed all of our family pets as well.

Mom left a great impact on all of us in the family.  Integrity, determination, thoughtfulness, and seeing the silver lining in any situation and the importance of being thorough and taking things to completion were learned and experienced through how she carried herself and spent her time with us, family, friends and within the community.

Verda lived to the age of 99 and we were so lucky to have had her all these years with such a good mind and spirit. All the activities we did together, the trips and adventuress we took, all the laughter and sometimes the tears, memories that are our special treasures to keep. She shaped us all in a significant and positive way. She was a great role model and a really classy lady.

Verda Jean Houser passed away on June 28, 2024 in Wilkie, SK. She is lovingly remembered by

Son, Edward (Connie) Houser and their family Wendy (Chris) Malo and their children Colby & Jayna;

Son, Ronald (Cathy Edwards) Houser and their family Scott (Amanda) Houser and their children Carter, Jade & Kara; Chad (Amanda) Houser;

Son, Raymond (Shirley) Houser and their family Glenn (Jennifer) Houser and their children Norah, Maggie, Adele & Eleanor; Bonnie (Dallas) Frank and their children Paisley, Braelyn & Weston;

Daughter, Jo Ann (Jim) Wickens and their family Chelsey Wickens, Stephanie (Brendan) Pipa and their child Riley.

She was predeceased by her husband Ebbert Paul Houser in 1975, her sisters Madeleine Harrington and Irene Kelly; and her parents, Isaac and Florence May Wrightson (Nee Beaumont)

We Believe Our Mother, Verda Jean Houser

Lived a Life Well Lived and We Will Miss Her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Unity United Church or Unity Courtesy Car. 

Memorial cards may be directed to Ed Houser: Box 278 Unity, SK. S0K 4L0.

Arrangements entrusted to Gerein Funeral Service.