Verle Lois Brunson Zesiger

"Verla" Verle Lois Brunson Zesiger

Our sweet, petite 5'3"mother of a five generation posterity took her last breath in mortality just a few years short of her goal of living to be 100. Verla was born Feb. 27, 1919 in Fillmore, Utah to William and Georgia Brunson, the third of seven children. She outlived all her family. Verla married the love of her life, Lloyd Zesiger in 1938; their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple in 1940. As Verla was excited to leave her small town surroundings, Lloyd's hometown of Bountiful seemed the perfect place to raise their four children, Marcia, Barbara, Cheryl and Robert. Bountiful was her home for the next 77 years. Life for Verla was non-stop. She loved Lloyd and being a home maker was grand. She mastered the art of cooking, sewing, entertaining, floral arranging roses from her rose garden, crossword puzzles. She always desired to continue learning new things. She loved to read and completed a list of books beyond belief. She was an active member of the LDS church and faithful in many church callings including Primary President for four years. Knowing the importance of education and being involved in the community, Verla was PTA president at Bountiful High School and a dedicated volunteer "Pink Lady "at Lakeview Hospital logging more 2600 hours. We kids knew that Dad was her one and only, but Elvis was still king. Wanting to continue her education, Verla enrolled at the University of Utah in 1961. At the age of 50, she graduated with a BS degree in Home Economics. Proud to her very last day, she always cheered her Alma Mater. Lloyd and Verla celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1988. Lloyd passed away nine years later on April 1, 1997. After Lloyd's death, the family home was sold and Verla took up her new residence at Barton Creek Assisted Living Center from 2002 until her passing. A special thanks to all the loving staff that cared and assisted her over all those years. You have been so appreciated. One of the high points in Verla's life was enjoying a Caribbean cruise with her children and their spouses in 2008. She wanted to be the very first of us to go parasailing. At 87, she was the oldest on their record to parasail! She looked fabulous in her bathing suit, went for the ride of her life, and didn't even get her hair wet. What a gal, what a memory, what a mother! Verla is survived by her four children, Marcia (Rodney) Ford, Barbara (Nolan Hayward), Cheryl (Stanford) Powell, Robert (Shawna) Zesiger, 20 grandchildren and 66 great grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death granddaughter Katharine Ford, grandson R.J. Ford, great grandchild Emily Christensen, and great-great- grandchild Teancum Ledezma Following a viewing at 11:00 am at the Bountiful 9th Ward Chapel 585 E. Center, Bountiful, UT, Verla's funeral will follow at 11:45 am. Interment at Bountiful City Cemetery