Vera Verlene Wixom Johnson
Vera Verlene Wixom Johnson, 72 of Blackfoot, passed away peacefully at the Gables in Shelley, Idaho, January 16, 2016.
She was born May 13, 1943 to Clifford Wixom and Vera Chaffin Wixom Horrocks in Blackfoot, Idaho. She was the only daughter, the second of five children, and oldest surviving child of Clifford and Vera, as she was preceded in death by her infant brother, Gary, who passed away before her birth.
Verlene was a beautiful woman, not only in countenance, but in spirit. She delighted in and devoted herself to the care of others her entire life. Verlene was a lifelong and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many leadership callings. She served in the auxiliary programs as a leader and teacher, and was always a wonderful example to those she served. She had a deep and abiding testimony of her Savior and Heavenly Father.
Verlene was raised in Groveland, and after graduating from Blackfoot High School, married David Eric Johnson in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on June 2, 1961. They lived in Blackfoot and raised their family there while David worked at the INL and Verlene enjoyed being a homemaker. She excelled at homemaking skills, was an excellent cook, seamstress, and enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She created a loving, comfortable home environment David and their three children, Wynn, Teresa and Shane.
They lived in Blackfoot until 1976, when they moved to Aiken, South Carolina where David worked at the Savannah River Plant. Verlene forged many friendships with the people in the area, served actively in the Relief Society of the Aiken branch during the late 1970s.
In 1980 they moved their family to Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, where David worked for Saudi Aramco. They shared many adventures living in the Arab culture, while Verlene worked as a bus monitor for the school system and served in the LDS branch in Abqaiq and subsequently in Udhailiyah. The family enjoyed many interesting and unique experiences in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and very much enjoyed the friendships they made with many local and international friends during their time there. Verlene traveled extensively during their time overseas, and quite enjoyed the cultures she embraced and in different parts of the world.
Upon returning to the United States, David and Verlene moved with their sons to Corvallis, OR, where they owned a business for several years, before returning to SouthEast Idaho. They also lived in Colorado for several years and spent time with family and serving in the LDS Church wards they lived in. They returned to Blackfoot, Idaho in 2001, returning to their roots.
Verlene was a devoted daughter and loving wife, and helped care for her parents and husband through long illnesses with much dedication, love and devotion. She loved her children and grandchildren, and did whatever she could to support and help them in any way that she could. She was the center and heart of the family.
She is survived by her sons and their wives, David Wynn and Marie Johnson, Shane Justin Johnson and Christina House, and her daughter, Teresa Lynn; fourteen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Verlene is also survived by her brothers and their wives, Ken and Pauline Wixom, Kay and LaPriel Wixom, and Dennis and Narumi Wixom.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Ave. in Blackfoot. A viewing will be held the night before on Friday January 22 from 6:00-8:00pm and again one hour prior to the services on Saturday.