Verta graduated from Fresno State University and taught school in Parlier Unified and Fresno Unified School Districts totaling 30 years. She thoroughly loved going to work each day to make a difference in a child’s life. Along with her teaching, she raised 4 children and was a wonderful mother to them. Verta was an excellent dancer and loved to go dance at The Rainbow Ballroom. It was there she met her future husband, Art Carlson. She would always say, “If he can’t dance, why would I be interested?” She was active in her sorority, The Lady Lions, Bible Study, church choir, the cooking club, Shape Makers gym, Stone Soup and taking care of her grandchildren. She took up snow skiing at the age of forty, after giving birth to Tanell. She kept herself busy and never had a bad word to say about anyone. She was always “finding the best in everyone.”
Verta and Art visited many places around the world but her two favorite places were Pismo Coast Village and Camp Richardson at Lake Tahoe. The Carlson family spent most of each summer away from the Fresno heat, in their trailer ~ Carlson’s Cozy Castle. They enjoyed many times camping with their special friends from Arcadia, Fresno and Lodi.
She loved celebrating her children’s birthdays and Christmas, the birth of her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Verta is survived by husband Art, children Tonya and husband Jerome, Greg and husband Craig, Tori, and Tanell and husband Mitchell. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Andrew, Nick, Auna-Kristina, Megan, Kendra, Carlson and Manda-Taylor, and many friends that will miss her dearly.
If you knew her, you knew true devotion, loyalty and unconditional love. She will be deeply missed by all. “Till we dance again…”
Special thanks to Bright Horizon Hospice, Right At Home, and Palm La Paz Funerals and Cremations. We appreciate your support and comfort. A memorial service will be held at Riverpark Bible Church on September 22, 2018 at 10:00 am, celebration luncheon to follow. Please share your memories at palmlapazfresno.com. Donations can be made to Scottish Rite Children’s Language Center 1435 L. Street, Fresno CA, 93721.
