Carl Arthur Verner passed from this world on Aug. 21, 2008, in Ketchum, Idaho.
Carl was born in Walden, Colo., to Anton and Alma Verner on June 12, 1919. He was raised in the North Park, Colo., area and graduated from Iowa State University in 1941 with a degree in agriculture. Carl left North Park several times "to set the world on fire" only to return "for more matches."
In 1950 he met and married the love of his life, Anna Lenora McKinstray, in Jackson, Wyo. Carl and Nora returned to Colorado to first dairy farm in Ft. Collins and then leased and finally purchased two ranches in North Park. After ranching for over two decades, Carl and Nora were able to retire and a portion of one of their ranches was purchased by Fish & Game and made into a wildlife preserve named in their honor, "Verner State Wildlife Area," near Walden, Colo.
Carl and Nora retired first to Sedona, Alpine and finally Springerville, Ariz., making many friends along the way. Although they had no children, they were dearly loved by their many nephews and nieces, most of whom had the pleasure of working and staying with them on their farm and ranches and then enjoying their retirement with them. Upon retiring to Sedona, Carl became quite an accomplished silversmith, making many unique pieces for his relatives and friends. Upon finally resettling in Springerville, Carl and Nora designed and built a new home, despite both having passed their 80th birthdays.
After losing his wife shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary, Carl stayed in Springerville, meeting and enjoying many members of the community, most of whom he met on his daily walks. When he could no longer live alone, Carl moved to Gannett in 2005 to live with his niece, Virginia, bringing his special charisma to her family. Even though in declining health for the past several months, Carl lived as he died—with dignity. He was a true gentleman and will be deeply and greatly missed.
Carl had first and foremost an incredible work and moral ethic, an optimistic disposition and raised the bar at duplicating many non-fiction and fictional stories and jokes. He loved a good meal and a good cookie!
Carl is survived by his sister-in-law, Ruth Ward of Denton, Texas, 11 nephews, two nieces and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, his only sister, Edith, of Evanston, Wyo., in 1997 and his wife in 2001. He will be laid to rest with his wife in Jackson, Wyo.
