Verna May Parkhurst, passed away peacefully at her beloved farmhouse on October 24, 2026 at the age of 94. Verna was born north of Deer Park Washington to Fred and Elsie Jens on June 12, 1932, approximately 30 minutes prior to her twin brother Verne. Verne was a surprise as no one, not even Elsie, knew there would be two babies that day! When Verna was 3, the family moved to the Twin Mountain area, approximately 10 miles southwest of Deer Park. With the exception of a brief stint in Spokane, she lived the remaining 91 years of her life within 1 mile of the family farm she grew up on, a true Twin Mountaineer and one of the matriarchs of the community.

Verna's education started at The Twin Mountain Schoolhouse and she graduated from Deer Park High School in 1950. She spent one year of high school attending Lewis and Clark in Spokane, living with and nannying for a doctor and his family in Spokane. Growing up she loved animals, especially horses and cows, and just being a farm kid. A favorite family picture of young Verna is her standing on the back of a horse. Like most of her siblings she was a good athlete. She loved softball and basketball and was a baton twirler/majorette for the marching band. She was a natural lefty, but her first elementary teacher insisted on her learning to write righthanded. She always said that was why her penmanship was subpar, although it never looked bad to us.

Verna was married to Elmer Parkhurst on June 17, 1950. They met when Elmer was helping Verna's older sister Edith and her husband Warren load a bull. When asked what she remembered about that day, she said that Elmer and Warren were having all kinds of trouble getting the bull loaded, and that Edith finally had enough of their nonsense and jumped into the bull pen and easily coaxed the beast into the truck. Not the romantic story we anticipated, but true to form for a farm girl.

Verna and Elmer operated a family dairy farm for 41 years, retiring the dairy portion of the farm in 1992. They both remained on the farm for the rest of their lives, something for which we are so grateful. In addition to raising 5 kids and helping manage the farm, Verna was a cook for the Deer Park School District for 26 years. She also somehow found time to volunteer and was a long time 4-H leader, band booster, and a fixture at the Deer Park Community Fair and Rodeo.

Verna loved socializing and participated in knitting, pinocle, and bunco clubs. She enjoyed learning new card games and could even keep up with the younger crowd in a furious game of SPLAT. She was very proud that she had knitted/crocheted an afghan blanket for every member of her family. She was also notorious for her green thumb, growing beautiful gardens and flowers and sharing the fruits of her labor with her family and friends.

Verna loved hosting big family dinners and her annual Settler's Day BBQ. The more people that showed up the happier she was. We always ate at 1:00pm, and if everything wasn't ready to go as dinner time approached, we would all get encouraged to get things moving! Evening recaps of the day always included a head count, and we were always amazed at what she observed and how many people she could engage with. Family, friends, and neighbors meant everything to her, and she loved seeing everyone together. She was always so proud of her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids and loved to tell people all about them. She was also a rabid Gonzaga Basketball fan and didn't miss a televised game. She was so looking forward to the start of the season.

Verna had an adventurist spirit. She was curious and courageous, we don't think there was anything she thought she couldn't do once she decided it needed to be done. Tough as nails, but also always so generous and thoughtful. Not one to be crossed, but a friend for life if she trusted you. She will be deeply missed by her family and community.

Verna was preceded in death by her eldest son Les (1998), her husband Elmer (2005), and her son in law Dave Hunter (2024). She was also preceded in death by her mother and father, her sisters Myrtle Finafrock and Edith Bushnell, her brothers Ed Jens, Fred Jens, and Verne Jens. She is survived by her daughters Karen Hunter, Sue Harmon (Greg) and her sons Kelly Parkhurst (Julie) and Dan Parkhurst (Tammy). She is also survived by numerous grandkids, great grandkids, nieces, and nephews.

A private family burial service was held Tuesday November 3 at Woodland Cemetery, Deer Park Washington. A celebration of Verna's life for all her family and friends will be held on Saturday November 21, 1pm to 3pm, at the Wild Rose Community Center located at 23907 North Monroe Road, Deer Park Washington, 99006.