Verna Rae Denton

– The world has lost an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. On Friday, July 25, 2014, Verna Rae Denton lost her battle with cancer at the age of 62 while surrounded by loved ones.

Verna will forever be known by every person she came into contact with as a bubbly, vivacious breath of fresh air. She was as gorgeous on the inside as she was on the outside. People were drawn immediately by her welcoming spirit, bright, beautiful smile, and gentle nature. Her generosity knew no limits and her energy was unstoppable. It was Verna's kind heart that left an impact on so many children and adults throughout her 28 years of her work at Hawthorne Elementary School. She will sorely be missed by all.

Verna Rae Saunders was born to Thelma and Vernon Saunders on March 22, 1952, in Missoula. Born and raised in the same home, Verna grew up with older sister Lynda and younger brother Larry. Verna was always proud to be a Missoula girl. She graduated from Hellgate High School in 1970 and eventually worked as a dental assistant. It was shortly after that when Verna was set up on a blind date with a man named Mark Denton. They ultimately married on Feb. 24, 1973.

Verna's life got so much brighter when her baby boy JC arrived in August 1974. Daughter Piper would follow in March 1979. You would not find a closer family than the Denton family.

Mark and Verna started Cedar Products Unlimited in 1985 on a dime and a dream. Her relentless effort and spirit proved to be the foundation of a business which is still operating 29 years later.

Her next big event would be joining the staff at Hawthorne Elementary School. It was there where Verna would meet some of the best friends she would know, including Jeanette Hicks. Verna would look forward to her time each day at Hawthorne. She considered herself, laughingly, the "vice principal" (although she wasn't). Over the years, Verna put countless bandages on scraped knees and elbows. She purchased mittens for kids who couldn't afford them, always made sure kids weren't being left out or feeling bad on the playground. Her level of compassion was limitless. Verna will continue to walk the halls of Hawthorne Elementary with the spirit and compassion that she has instilled in the students and staff for 28 years.

Much of Verna and Mark's life was spent at the their cabin on Noxon Reservoir in Trout Creek. Together with their kids starting in 1987 they built a retreat that formed so many lasting memories. It proved to be just one of the building blocks that supported this strong and close-knit Denton family. It was typical to see Verna mowing over rocks, sweeping the front porch or just having coffee with her good friends Teri Reimers and Dawn Wahle. While so many cabin people had their adult beverages, Verna was content with her caffeine-free Coke.

In September 2006, Henley Rae Porter arrived. This was Verna's granddaughter. Henley would prove to be the center of the Verna's universe. And vice versa. They were quite the team. It was not uncommon for Verna and Henley to be wearing matching clothes, vacationing together, or calling each other VERY early in the morning. They were absolutely inseparable.

There will never be another Verna. She was a perfect balance of goodness – beauty, wisdom, generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness, wit, just to name a few. You may have attended one of the countless baby showers thrown by Verna or if you were sick she would be the first person to send you a card or bring you popsicles. There simply are not enough words to express just how much she will be missed.

I love you "Hon" and will miss you and think of you every day of my life, because you are my life.

Verna is preceded in death by her parents, Thelma and Vernon Saunders. Survivors include her husband, Mark; son, JC, Missoula; daughter, Piper (John), Spokane; granddaughter, Henley; sister, Lynda (Jake) Frenchtown; brother, Larry (Marilyn), Trout Creek; and many cousins, nephews and nieces and special friend Vicky Kreis.

There will be a celebration of Verna's life on Saturday, Aug. 2, 4 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home.

A special thank you to Tammy from Hospice
Read Verna Denton's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.