Verna June (Nielsen) Wilson

Verna Wilson

CHARLESTON – Verna June Wilson, age 96, of Charleston, passed away Friday, July 12, 2019.

The memorial service honoring her life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 21, 2019 at Wesley United Methodist Church with Pastor Janice Kahl officiating.  Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church.  Arrangements:  Harper-Swickard.

Verna was born June 19, 1923 on a farm near Cozad, Nebraska.  She was the youngest child of Christina (Hansen) Nielsen and Edward Nielsen.  Both Christina and Edward were immigrants of Denmark.  She had two sisters, Stella Stanley and Helen Erickson, and one brother, Herman Nielsen.  All are deceased.  She was also preceded in death by a son, Paul K. Wilson.

Immediate family survivors include a daughter, Karen S. Guinto and husband Dr. M.V. Guinto of Charleston and a son, Dr. Mark G. Wilson and wife Kathi of Athens, GA.  Seven grandchildren survive: Megan Wilson, Alex Wilson, Jacob Wilson, Andrea Wilson, Nicholas Wilson Guinto, Anika Guinto, and Allyse Guinto.  And three great-grandchildren: Karson Guinto, Noah Guinto, and Luke Wilson, as well as several nieces and nephews, also survive. 

Verna and Gilbert Wilson were married February 20, 1943 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  They celebrated 59 years of marriage, prior to his death, December 16, 2002.

She graduated from Cozad High School and attended Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska for two years.  She later received her B.A. degree from the State University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.

Verna taught elementary school for 25 years.  Her first job was in Mitchell, Nebraska.  She later taught in Marshalltown and Mt. Vernon, Iowa and Mankato, Minnesota.  She started teaching in Charleston in 1966 at Rardin School and later transferred to Jefferson School where she taught until her retirement in 1987.

She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, Friendship Sunday School Class, Morning Bible Study Group, Coles County Retired Teachers, and P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter KO.  She had an outgoing, happy personality and enjoyed her family and friends. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Verna June (Nielsen) Wilson, please visit our floral store.