Verna Jane Wood

Just 5 years short of a century, beloved Verna Jane Rice Wood passed on to the next phase of her life on Tuesday, June 9^th, 2015, having graduated summa cum laude from mortality while mourned and cheered by a myriad of friends and family on both sides of the veil.

Born Feb 1, 1920 in Farmington, Utah to Ira Quince and Myra Winegar Rice just 2 years after the close of WWI, then moving with her family to Superior, Wyoming where Quince was Superintendent of coal mines, then moving again when financial trouble hit the country just in time to purchase a herd of cattle and farm in Clifton and settling in only to have their herd destroyed by Baines disease.

But wait, there’s more! Then came the Great Depression followed by WWII followed by inflation. Only Mother’s sense of humor and deep compassion helped her endure. She married Jack J Wood in Oct 15, 1937, then Dad went into the navy. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS temple.

Jack and Jane are the parents of 7 children: Donald (Stana) Wood, Robert (Katherine) Wood, Tom (Julie) Wood, Myra (Ken) Peterson, Deb (Dave) Nielsen, William “Sput” (Roze) Wood, and David (Janet) Wood.

There are well over a hundred descendants in the family.

Together, Mom and Dad purchased and operated “The Garage” and later Clifton Merc from Orson Kofoed and finally built the Twin Lakes Merc as well as being postmaster. Everyone who came through the store left uplifted and in good humor because of them.

Jack passed away 21 May 1981, a long wait for both of them. All of Jane’s siblings have died and all of Jack’s except Earl Wood, living in St. George. Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, also three granddaughters: Cody and Katie Perucca—twins, and Krista Cowley.

Jack and Jane were active church members serving in ward and stake capacities, Mother in the Relief Society and Young Women auxillaries, and involved in many ward plays over the years. She was also an avid bowler in a league even into her early ‘80’s. After Dad’s passing, Mother served many years doing French extraction in Preston, and additional years as an ordinance worker in the St. George temple.

Mother’s keen intellect and extraordinary wit and charm remain unsurpassed even through her cancer treatments and surgeries. She always felt compelled to treat animals and birds with the same kindness as the human family. Her generosity knew no bounds. She was no stranger to poverty, sadness and loneliness.

Special appreciation to her many friends, family, and church members who assisted her.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at noon in the Clifton Second Ward Chapel with Bishop Clark Cox conducting. Friends may call Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 South 800 East, Preston, Idaho and Saturday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment will be in the Clifton Cemetery.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com

Final note to children from Mother: “About your inheritance…being of sound mind and body, I spent it all.”