Verna Viola (Elsner) Walko

Verna Viola (Elsner) Walko of Gilbert Plains, Manitoba passed away February 7th, 2021 at St. Boniface hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 79 years.

Verna was born April 12th, 1941 in Brockington, Saskatchewan to Anton George Elsner & Anna Margaretta Elsner (nee Danielson). She shared a memorable childhood with her brother Melvin and numerous close aunts, uncles and cousins. Mom went away to work at Clearwater Lake Sanatorium in The Pas where she met Peter Walko. Mom and Dad married and had Beverly, Brenda and Wendy in The Pas. They moved to Russell where Melvin, Matthew, and Mark were born. Peter and Verna shared 41 years of marriage. Mom was a very hard worker. She always had a big garden to tend with canning, freezing and preserving. Mom, Baba Walko and great Aunt Carrie made numerous perogies, cabbage rolls and other goodies. Mom was proud of her Swedish heritage too and we had many potato pancakes and palt, etc. Mom did housekeeping and babysitting as well with the families becoming like family to her. Mom made our childhood a lot of fun. The yard was always full of neighbourhood kids that were welcomed and treated like family. Mom was proud of all her children. When grandkids and great grandkids came long mom felt blessed. She was always bragging about how many grandkids and great grandkids she had and was quick to tell of their accomplishments from jobs, relationships, births, dance, painting, skate board, hunting and fishing or just the cute things they did. Mom loved them all whether related by blood or heart strings they were hers. In her freetime mom enjoyed puzzles, crafts, painting, cross stitch and embroidery. Mom loved watching birds and growing flowers.  Verna had a unique sense of humour and didn't sugar coat her opinions. Mom was a strong lady fighting to overcome stroke and cancer. Mom looked after dad through his cancer fight until he passed in 2000. Her heart broke more when she lost her youngest son Mark in 2010. In 2014 looking for a change Mom, Melvin and Matthew moved to Gilbert Plains. Mom was quick to make friends here. Tragically she lost Melvin and Matthew in July 2014. Her health declined more as grief took its toll. In 2020 when Mom lost Brenda and had to deal with the loneliness of Covid restrictions and her own weakening health she slipped further. On February 5th 2021 Mom went for a procedure in Dauphin during which her heart stopped. It was restarted but mom was very low.February 6th Mom was Stars Medivacced to St. Boniface in Winnipeg where in the early hours of February 7th, 2021 she passed away. Mom will be missed by all who knew and loved her. We take comfort in knowing she is pain free with her husband and 4 children and all who have passed. Thank you to all who have supported mom on her journeys over the years - her good friends, relatives, her home care ladies in Russell and Gilbert Plains. . Verna was predeceased by her parents Anton & Anna Elsner, her husband Peter Walko, her sons Matthew, Melvin and Mark Walko, her daughter Brenda Layh, sister in law Lavern Elsner, brother in laws George & Horace Walko, and son in law David Malchuk. Surving are her daughters Beverly Malchuk and Wendy (Myron) Ternovetsky, her grandchildren Nicole, Pam, Amanda (Myles), Stacey, Gretchen (Alan), Greg (Britt), Michelle (Paul), Steven (Ian), Samantha (Jay), Richard, Kris (Chloe), Charles, Mindy (Stewart), her great grandchildren Mark, Dorian, Ronald, David, Makyla, Taydon, Xzavier, Linkin, Leland, Lucas, Fernando, Cassidy, Raylan, Jaedyn, Jackson, Kaitlyn, Talia, Chloe, Alexis, Arianna, Layla, Coraline, Natalya, William and Madeline and moms brother Melvin (Lois) Elsner.as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews Memory Eternal till we see you again mom.