Verna Mae Pickard was born on March 8, 1927 in Connorsville, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Ingwald and Bertha (Johnson) Gunness. She grew up in rural Wisconsin and graduated Salutatorian from Boyceville High School in 1945. Verna joined the Cadet Nursing Corp and worked in area hospitals during the war, filling in for nurses who had gone into service. On November 20th of 1946, she was united in marriage to Eugene Pickard and together they farmed near New Richmond, Wisconsin. They lived in several rural Wisconsin communities, including Best Valley near Downing and Star Prairie. They moved to Wanderoos in the late '50's and rural Deer Park in 1971, all the while farming and starting up Pickard Trucking which is still in existence today. During this time they were raising a family of ten children. Verna moved to Amery with her daughter, Amy, in 1993 after the passing of her husband, Eugene, in 1992.
Verna was a home maker in the truest sense. Wherever she lived or stayed, whether you were immediate family, extended family, friend or stranger, Verna made you feel welcomed and at home. She loved her family deeply and it was her stronghold to have them close.
During her life Verna, was active as a Sunday School teacher, 4-H leader, belonged to Homemakers and was a long time member of El Salem Baptist Church (rural Dresser), and later of United Covenant Church in Clear Lake, Wisconsin. Cooking and baking were things she enjoyed and the door was always open for visitors or someone in need of a place to stay. She enjoyed gardening and canned much of the fruits of her labor. Verna was always up for a game of cards and whatever the game, played with intensity.
One of Verna's greatest gifts, that she was both humble about and yet took great pride in, was being a care giver. Throughout her life, she cared for as many as six generations of family. Starting at a young age, she was caregiver for her grandparents, her siblings, her parents, her own 10 children, her sibling's children, her husband Eugene, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren, along with extended family and friends along the way.
Due to increasing health issues, Verna spent a short time at Riverbend Assisted Living and then at Golden Age Manor in Amery where she died on Wednesday evening March 10, 2010 at the age of 83 years, 2 days. She will be deeply missed by family, extended family and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Eugene, an infant son Bobby, brothers Donald and Raymond and sisters Doris and Beatrice. Left to celebrate her life are her children: Carol (Rod) Stotts, Jim (Mona) Pickard, Deanna (Barry) Erickson, Mike (Lynn) Pickard, Brian (Rebecca) Pickard, Neil (Sally) Pickard, Brent (Janice) Pickard, Darlene (Burton) Beebe, Becky (Tom) Peterson, and Amy Pickard. She also leaves 28 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren; one brother Lloyd Gunness; sisters: Sylvia Gunness and Marjorie Johns as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Monday March 15, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. from the United Covenant Church in Clear Lake with Pastor Gary Tonn officiating. Organist was Margaret Peterson. Casketbearers were her sons: Jim, Mike, Brian, Neil and Brent. Interment was at the Calvary Cemetery in Deer Park, Wisconsin. The Williamson-White Funeral home assisted the family with arrangements.