Verla Schafer

Verla M. Schafer

November 1, 1923-April 15, 2022

Verla M. Schafer passed away on April 15, 2022 at her home. She was born to Ed and Selma Young on November 1, 1923. Verla grew up on the family farm and attended Grand Valley area schools through her high school graduation. She went on to attend business school and to obtain a job as a secretary working for the United States government at the Atomic Energy Commision in Grand Junction until her retirement in 1974. Verla took pride in her work and her contributions to her country. She worked at the Atomic Legacy Cabin which is now an interpretive center located at the Department of Energy in Grand Junction. The cabin once was the epicenter of the nationwide search for uranium that was started by the Manhattan Project and later escalated during the Cold War. She was one of 170 employees who served the commission throughout it's entire history. In 2017 she was able to visit the Bradbury Science Museum in Las Alamos, New Mexico. She was excited to learn more about the history that she had been a part of creating. In addition to her work, Verla loved to go shopping and to tend her flower garden. She also went to the Cameo Hairstyling Shop every week of her life up to one month before she died. Verla shopped at her favorite stores every week and knew all the sales people by name as they did her. She often took home clothes to try "on approval". She frequented stores like Vogue and Liff's and Helene's on Main Street and eventually Herberger's and J.C. Penney's at the Mesa Mall.

Verla was very close to her sister Ardith Roberts and was able to go on many trips over the years with her sister and brother-in-law. She spent hours on the phone with her sister up until Ardith's death in 2021. She felt lost and very lonely after Ardith was gone. Verla wanted to live to be 100, and she almost achieved that goal. She lived her life on her own terms and was fiercely independent and proud. She never wanted anyone to worry about her, often saying, "I'm fine", even when she was not. She will be missed by her family the most not only showing up with a smile for all but also with all of her endless bags of purchases she wanted to give away, they called them "Verla treasures". She also made the best macaroni and cheese for every family meal gathering, she shared the recipe but so far no one has been able to match hers. Verla was preceded in death by her mother and father, sister Ardith Roberts and nephew Daniel Roberts. She will be missed by her niece Connie (Rob) McNew, her great nieces Tanya (Rory) Cornelison, and Tasha (Warren)McNew, great nephew Andrew McNew and great great nieces Izabella and Nataleigh Cornelison. A private family service is planned. In lieu of flowers please donate to Roice Hurst Humane Society in memory of Verla's favorite kitty companions Boopy and Kitty Blue