Verna Marie Dunlap 91, of Lakewood, CO passed away Thursday, March 30th. She was born to the late Herschel and Mildred Hamblin, July 21, 1931 in Montrose, CO. Her family moved to Silverton, Colorado where her parents raised their family and her dad worked in the gold mines. She was really proud of growing up in Silverton and shared many stories with the family/extended family about how life was at the time, from how they rode over the Million Dollar Highway to get food for the winter, her mom canning and cooking, and her dad working in the mines. She actually had stories about the bars and brothels, too!
After settling in Denver in 1954, she worked at Samsonite Luggage Company. Verna met and married Neil Dunlap on March 16, 1957. They were so excited to purchase their first house and delighted in fixing it up and creating a home. They loved entertaining, dancing, picnics, and steak dinners on the patio. All that knew them were undoubtedly aware of their dedication and devotion to raising Kay and Vicki.
Verna worked as a waitress many years at Sheri's, May D & F, and Newberry's. For a brief period, Verna and Neil moved to Sterling, CO where they purchased and operated a liquor store. They lived there about two and a half years until the birth of their first granddaughter brought them back home to Denver.
Verna is survived by 2 daughters Kay Conner (Frank), Vicki Flower (Brett).
Five grandchildren Jayna Lang, Eric Horvat (Stacy), Zachary Flower (Jamie), Spencer Flower (Taylor Zerobnick), Trevor Flower (Margaret Tyer).
Four great grandchildren, Everly Flower, Elodie Flower, Presli Horvat, Leini Horvat. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband Neil Dunlap, parents Herschel Hamblin and Mildred Smothers, Brothers Raleigh Glenn Hamblin, Darwin Lee Hamblin, Wilbur Ray Hamblin, David Ray Foster and Sisters Bonnie Downs and Theda Ann Hamblin Foster.