Verna Elina Branthover

Verna Elina Branthover, 99, passed away Jan. 13, 2017, at Clatsop Retirement Village in Astoria, Oregon.

Verna was born to Paul and Hilda Karpinen in Astoria, Oregon, on Jan. 27, 1917, and graduated from Astoria High School Jan. 25, 1935. Three months after graduation she married the love of her life, Gordon (Toby) Branthover Sr. April 30, 1935. He preceded her in death Jan. 26, 2002. They were married for 67 blissful years.

Verna was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, a homemaker, an accomplished oil painter and an avid bowler. She loved working out in her flower gardens, and she loved playing cards with her friends at the Astoria Senior Center and the Clatsop Retirement Village. Verna was passionate about her family. She took great delight in each and every one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Verna and Toby enjoyed camping in their trailer, fishing and playing cards with their friends. Their favorite destinations were Fish Lake in the Oregon Cascades and the Rogue River at Gold Beach, Oregon.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Hilda Karpinen; her loving husband, Gordon Sr.; and her brother, William Carpenter, and his wife, Gert.

Verna was loved, and will be greatly missed by her surviving family, her son, Gordon (Judy) Branthover Jr., and her daughter, Judith (Henry) Heilmann. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Kim (Jim) Hansen, Todd Branthover, Vicki (Randy) Bridges and Gary (Mona) Heilmann Sr.; and five great grandchildren, Jean Chevalier, Paige Hansen, Kathryn Heilmann, Gary Heilmann Jr. and Bradley Bridges; and a nephew, Don (June) Carpenter.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Chapel, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, Oregon.