Verla Whitaker

Verla was born June 30, 1921 in Gothenburg, Nebraska to Swedish couple, Arthur and Anna Peterson. She had one sister, Lola May, who was 2 years older but died at age 10. Verla was born in the New Hope Community, North of Gothenburg, where she lived until the family moved into town when she was in the 3rd grade. Verla had a lifelong relationship with many of her cousins as well. She taught in country schools for 3 years before going to the Evangelical Free Church School in Chicago. She attended Kearney State Teacher's College and later graduated from Wheaton College in 1949. In August of that year she left for Venezuela where she served as a missionary until 1989. She loved her work on the mission field. Her parents went to be with the Lord: Anna in 1954, Arthur in 1983, and stepmother Nettie in 1984. She retired from the mission field in Venezuela, April 1, 1989; the same day she married Darrel C. Whitaker. She often said that having Darrel for her husband, seemed like frosting on the cake. She had the wonderful fulfillment of service for the Lord and then the special blessing of having a husband, 3 step-children, 3 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. They lived in Littleton, CO for 7 years until they moved to Covenant Village of Colorado in Westminster in March 1996. She enjoyed life in the Village and felt rewarded as she visited people in the Care Center to comfort and encourage them, until her health began to decline. Darrel & Verla were able to travel together, both on short term mission trips as well as for pleasure, to over 50 countries & 5 continents. As her health declined, she moved into Skilled Care and went to be with the Lord under Hospice Care at Covenant Village on November 13, 2016. Memorial Service will be Thursday, November 17, 2016, 10:30 AM at Covenant Village of Colorado, 9221 Wadsworth Parkway, Arvada. For those wishing to pay their respects to Verla, you are welcome to visit Horan & MCConaty, 7577 West 80th Avenue, Arvada, anytime from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Graveside Service will be Friday, November 18, 2016, 9:30 AM at Chapel Hill Cemetery, 6601 South Colorado Boulevard, Centennial. Memorial gifts to the ""Evangelical Free Church Missions"" can be designated in Memory of Verla Whitaker and given to the family or sent directly to: Evangelical Free Church Missions 901 East 78th Street Minneapolis, MN 55420 www.efca.org Please share your memories of Verla and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.