Verna Lee Patzkowsky passed away November 5, 2025, at Valley View Villa in Fort Morgan, Colorado.

Verna was born in Stockville, Nebraska, on September 16, 1929, to Willard and Janie Hinton.

Her father was engaged in farming with his parents. Verna would recall many fond memories of growing up on the farm, from how much she loved her grandpa and spending time with him, to the story of how she got her little black Shetland pony "Smokey" and how much fun she had riding him on the country roads and in the pastures along with her two dogs Blackie and Wags.

Verna attended a rural school where she learned to read, write, and do arithmetic. At this little school, they continually taught poetry, and this began her love for poems. She could recite many poems that she had learned or read. She enjoyed listening to poetry up until her last few days of life.

Verna's dad loved farming, although the Great Depression made it impossible for him to make a living for his family. He had heard that Great Western Sugar factory in Fort Morgan, Co. was hiring men for the campaign. Verna and her mom stayed back in Nebraska while he went to work on the campaign. He liked Fort Morgan and decided to sell the farm and move the family to Fort Morgan. On December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the United States found itself in the middle of World War II. The family then moved to Pierce, Colorado where Verna's dad did his part and worked as an airplane mechanic in Cheyenne, Wyoming, commuting back and forth each day. Verna attended school in Pierce for two years and was active in pep club and attended the Methodist church. In 1945 they moved back to Fort Morgan, and she graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1947.

In 1948 Verna married Everett Patzkowsky. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter Brenda Jo. Verna worked at Jacks-Bean Company, Buick Chevrolet as a secretary and the Farmers State Bank as a bookkeeper. She worked outside the home for 20 years. She then became a homemaker and finished raising her granddaughter Laura Jane after Brenda Jo's passing on August 1, 1973.

Verna was a member of the Methodist Church in Fort Morgan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Janie Hinton, her daughter Brenda Jo Kitchings, and her husband Evertt Patzkowsky.

Verna is survived by her granddaughter Laura McCracken (Brian) of Fort. Morgan, three great grandchildren Spencer McCracken (Kendra) of Fort Morgan, Abby Keefe of Yuma, Colorado and Tyler McCracken of Fort Morgan, Colorado, and five great- great grandchildren; Ryleigh, Colton, Brodie, Corbin and Cru.

Our family would like to thank Valley View Villa for the care and compassion you gave our grandma during the last years of her life.

Funeral services will be Thursday, November 13th at 10:00 AM at The Sanctuary, 14587 US-34, west of Fort Morgan. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Fort Morgan.