Verna Mae Oase

  Verna Mae Oase was welcomed into the loving hands of God on Sept. 14, 2016 in Lynden. Born Verna Mae Larson on March 16, 1923 in St. Paul, Minnesota, she was 93 years old.
  Verna was married for 62 years to her husband, Vernon S. Oase, who passed away in 2005. She was the mother of five children: Stephen (Lucy) of Pleasanton, California; Christopher (Susan) of Ripon, California; Russell (Kathy) of Wilton, California; Mark (Nancy) of Minden, Nevada; and Beverly Cobb (Kevin) of Star, Idaho. She is the grandmother of 12, great-grandmother of 19 and a great-great-grandmother as well. She has other family throughout the country but mostly in Minnesota and California. She is survived by her sister, Audrey Wood of Oakland, California, and a brother, George N. Larson (Carole) of Roseville, California.
  Verna Mae and her husband, Vernon, traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada and also in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Together they lived in Minnesota, California, Ohio, Saudi Arabia and again in California before moving to Lynden in 2003. She was a member of Third Christian Reformed Church in Lynden, but had attended the Salvation Army, Congregational and United Methodist churches during her years before finally settling in Lynden. She loved her church, the senior center and the community, and Verna made many friends while in Lynden.
  An avid genealogist, she was most proud of her roots dating back to the Mayflower and being a descendent of Isaac Allerton. Through her research she discovered many family members that fought in the Revolutionary War. She became active in Daughters of the American Revolution and the Genealogy Association chapters in both Sacramento and Bellingham. In her younger years, she was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, followed her children’s and grandchildren’s activities in school, and was a retired federal employee.
  A service to celebrate the life of Verna Mae Oase will be held at 10 a.m. on Sept. 21, 2016, in Third Christian Reformed Church, 514 Liberty St., Lynden, WA 98264, with a time to socialize following.
  Those wishing to make a donation in Verna Mae’s memory may do so to the Third Christian Reformed Church ministerial fund; the Capt. Ward O. Neville Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of North Dakota, Twamley Hall Room 216, 264 Centennial Drive Stop 8371, Grand Forks, ND 58202; or a charity of one’s choice.
  Special thanks to the Lynden and Whatcom County paramedic units, Take My Hand, the staff of PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, especially the Lynden Christian Health Care Center and church members and friends, for their concern, love, and care for our mom.
  You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.