Verna Heisler

Verna Rae Heisler, a lifelong resident of Pawnee, Oklahoma, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2016, at her home at the age of 85 years old.

Verna was born October 22, 1930, in Carnegie, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Joseph David and Winnie (Ridley) Alley. At a young age, Verna moved with her family to the Pawnee area. Growing up near Watchorn in rural Pawnee County and attending school at Diamond-Laird School and later completing her education in Pawnee. Verna was united in marriage to Wilbur Melvin Heisler on December 12, 1948, at the First Baptist Church in Pawnee, Oklahoma. Following the couple's marriage, they established their home near Pawnee. In 1971, Verna and Wilbur moved to her current home where she has continued to reside. After her children had completed school, Verna worked at Kiddy Crossing Daycare for several years. She loved every minute she was there, and the children took to her calling her “Granny.” She is still known to many in town as Granny.

Verna enjoyed growing flowers and working in her garden. She spent many hours working in the garden always sharing and canning the fruits of her labor. Verna always mentioned she was going to make a smaller garden but never did. Vacations to Colorado were yearly events. Always going with family and enjoying every minute that they were there. Verna enjoyed cooking and is known for her fried pies and homemade bread. She always enjoyed the weekly visits from her family and friends for pie and coffee. Verna, Ruth Stites, Virginia McCollum and the late Elsie Murphy were always together and the best of friends. They have been stereotyped as “The Golden Girls.”

Survivors are her children Gene Heisler and his wife Diane of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Marilyn Tanner and her husband David of Edmond, Oklahoma, Sheree Bond and her husband Doug of Norman, Oklahoma; siblings Albert Alley of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Joe Dale Alley of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Don Alley of Cushing, Oklahoma, David Alley of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Claudie McKill of Blackburn, Oklahoma, eleven grandchildren Kit Heisler, Heath Heisler, Brian Tanner, Brad Tanner, Sam Bond, Clint Privett, Jasen Heisler, Branden Heisler, Blaine Heisler, Nicole Heisler, Carson Heisler; thirteen great grandchildren Cameron Heisler, Kendall Heisler, Preslie Heisler, Evan Tanner, Emmett Privett, Braylee Heisler, Barryck Heisler, Landen Heisler, Wyatt Heisler, Brayden Heisler, Hannah Heisler, Halee Heisler, Hayden Heisler; one great great granddaughter Camberly Heisler as well as numerous relatives and friends that will mourn her passing. In addition to her parents, Verna was preceded in death by her husband Wilbur in 1997 as well as two sons John Robert Heisler and Max Joe Heisler.

Memorial services will be at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, October 5, 2016, at the First Christian Church with Pastor Robert Smith officiating. Following cremation, the cremains will be interred in the Highland Cemetery under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.poteetfuneralhome.com.