Verla Louise Jackson, age 90 of El Dorado, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Sunday, January 10, 2021. She was the second of four children born at home in Latham, KS to the late Arthur and Ethel Davis on December 21, 1930. Verla attended elementary school in Bloomington and high school in Leon.
Verla was a loving wife to her late husband of 65 years, Louis S. Jackson, Jr. Louis was always happy to share with a smile that he met her at the wedding shower for his brother and her cousin. He told a friend that day he was going to marry her and he did just that three (3) short months later, September 18, 1948. From that day forward, they did everything together. She was his right hand in the ownership and operations of their farm, ranch, and Jackson Auction & Real Estate. It was rare that he would pick up a telephone book, as Verla could recall any phone number he needed.
Together, Verla and Louis raised three (3) children without sitters and daycare. Instead, the kids were a part of the day-to-day activities. They taught the kids the importance of hard work, which included anything from feeding cattle, working in the field, pulling weeds in the flower garden, assisting in the office, or at an auction. They still made time for family fun with a ride on a bike, horseback, motorcycle, boating at the lake, or a family vacation.
The expansion of the El Dorado Lake encompassed the land where the family home of many years had stood. It was in 1977 that they built a home and moved into El Dorado, but continued to farm & ranch the remaining acres. The family had started to expand as well to include another generation and Verla loved spending time with the grandchildren. She has been described as the fun Grandma. Verla was the one who made time to skate at the rink on a Saturday morning or to take a walk on the lake dam. The one to take a trip to the farm to feed the kittens, the fish in the pond, or a pair of geese that she would buy in the spring and she would always name them - La Peep and La Poop. She has been described as a real life Snow White, always caring for the animals and a meticulous housekeeper as well. Verla was there to support piano recitals, their sports, cheer activities, and had chocolate chip cookie dough in the freezer.
Verla loved to take the grandkids, and later the great-grandkids, to the circus, where one got to ride an elephant. The family have all enjoyed time with her feeding the ducks at East Park, playing at the North Main Park Splash Pad, scouting around Walters Pumpkin Patch, playing games of Uno, Tic-Tac-Toe, or keeping their hands busy in play dough and puzzles. Then there were always those new toys she would have tucked away. Something in a box yet to be opened. Some little surprise to pull out for no reason other than to create fun when you came to visit.
In her retirement years; Verla loved to travel with Louis in their motorhome. They traveled with family and friends and made new friends along the way. At the farm they hosted many picnics, including 4th of July celebrations for many years as Verla was always up for fireworks. She continued to garden and she loved to feed and watch the squirrels and hummingbirds out the window.
Verla had a God-given musical talent. She played the piano, organ, and accordion. She always had a song in her heart and could yodel like few others. She taught herself to play the piano and had the wonderful ability to play by ear. It has been said that as a child it often got her out of helping with the dishes. She enjoyed when friends stopped by and would ask her to play a few
tunes on the organ, or when the great-grandkids would ask her to sit down and play the piano with them.
Verla is preceded in death by her parents, Art & Ethel; husband, Louis; daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Earl McElroy; a brother and his wife, Teddy & Kathy Davis; and a step-grandson-in-law, JC Haselby.
Verla is survived by: son, Casey Jackson, El Dorado; daughter, Shelley (Rick) Lauber, Iola, KS; grandchildren, Dette (Lucas) Longman, Waukee, IA; Chris (Amanda) McElroy, Valley Center, KS; McKayla (Scott) Haskins, Spring Hill, KS; Cameron Miller, Overland Park, KS; step-grandchildren, Kiesha (Luke) Richenburg, St. Paul, KS; Alicia Haselby, Olathe, KS; great-grandchildren, William and Hope Longman, Kennedy and Eleanor McElroy, Connor and Carson Haskins, Lauren, Emily, Megan, Michael, and Ashley Richenburg, Gavin and Sophia Haselby; sister, Helen Triboulet-Copeland; and brother, Marian Davis.
Due to COVID there will be a private graveside service for immediate family. For the safety of all, the family would like to have a Celebration of Life to honor Verla, with family and friends at a later date when stories and hugs can be shared.
The family wishes to thank all those who cared for Verla during the last few years while at Homestead of El Dorado. This includes in recent weeks the additional care and comfort she received from Serenity Hospice Care of Wichita. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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Alzheimer's Association
1820 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita KS 67214