Verna Mae Retana, (1951 - 2019) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Let the memory of Verna be with us forever.

68 years old
Born on April 12, 1951 in Monte Vista, Colorado, United States
Passed away on October 17, 2019 in Fort Lupton, Colorado, United States

Verna Mae Retana

1951 - 2019

The Lord’s faithful servant, Verna Retana, was granted her angel wings on October 17th. Verna passed peacefully into eternal life with Christ, surrounded by her loving family.

Verna lived a full life as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, nina, tia, prima, coworker and friend. Verna loved her family.Her greatest joy in life was to have everyone together.It was a difficult task for such a large family, but one that was accomplished each year over Stampede weekend and the annual family reunion. Verna treasured the family reunions and was fulfilled by bringing family and friends together for a meal and a chance to catch up on each other’s lives.

Verna enjoyed cooking but her real passion was in feeding people. For the past 15 years Verna has cooked and delivered weekend meals to individuals in her community whom she thought needed the extra nourishment; both in food and in companionship. Verna believed her god given gift was servitude and she lived her life serving others.

Verna had an unwavering faith in God. She was a member of the Grace Baptist Church in Lariat for over 45 years. Through the years, Verna had become very involved with her church and assisted with Sunday school, Bible Study, she was the treasurer and always made sure that her church family was welcomed each Sunday with warm coffee and snacks.

Verna is survived by her loving & devoted husband of 40 years, Esiquio Retana and her two sons and their wives: Robert & Juanita Griego, Paul & Kehle Griego.Also survived by Kathy Medina, her niece and “honorary daughter”.Verna leaves four grandchildren and one great grandchild; Keiffer Griego, Jasmine Griego, Elena Griego, Pablito Griego, and Gohan Griego. Verna was also a step-grandmother to Ashley, Arielle, Adriane, Cooper, Lennon & Huxton.Verna was stepmother to Beto, Silvestra, Julian and Brigido Retana and also step grandmother to their children; Aaron, Oscar, Mark, Alondra, Julian Jr., Julisa, Christina, Gerardo, Allen, Alejandra, Deanna and Daniella. Also survived by sisters Juanita Archuleta, Esther Sewell, Annie Medina, Becky Martinez, Orlinda Ventura and brother, Art Medina, and survived by many godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family, including her church family. All of these she loved and touched deeply.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents Procopio and Eufelia Medina. Her maternal grandparents Dominico and Magdalena Naranjo and her paternal grandparents Crespin and Senobia Medina. Also sisters Gloria Montoya and Carolee Campa and a brother Tommy Medina.

Verna had a seven month battle with cancer. During her battle she was loved and supported by many family and friends. Verna would want to thank everyone near and far for their calls, texts, gifts, visits and donations. Knowing that she was in the thoughts and prayers of so many gave her strength and comfort.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church on Saturday, November 2nd at 11:00am, followed by a meal at 1:00pm. Calvary Baptist Church is located at 2160 Sherman Avenue, Monte Vista, CO 81144.

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October 26, 2019

Growing up we spent a lot of time at my Auntie Vernas. I remember her garden and having to water it. I used to love sitting at the kitchen table eating peas with her. Her cooking was the best! Her home was cozy and very welcoming! Aunt Verna was always happy and welcoming, she was an Angel here on Earth. She will be forever missed, there was no one like her! I Love You Auntie Rest in Paradise❤️

October 22, 2019

I was proud that my mom said I look like you, Auntie. I admire you. You make difficult things look easy, like service and kindness and selflessness. You are an example of the kind of woman wish I could be. You are elegant and understated, never calling attention to yourself, but constantly lifting the people around you. Thank you <3

October 21, 2019

Aunt Verna was the glue that held our family together she WAS the family reunion. She welcomed everyone with a smile, big hug and "come and eat". Words cant Express how much she will be missed. Until we see each other again ❤❤ until then you will be missed, deeply missed. Thank you for all the laughs, love and food. The spirit of hospitality was your gift to all of us. Love you.

October 21, 2019

I remember my first family reunion i go to go to. Every other time i have gone to Colorado and visited Monte Vista, my Aunt Verna always had a room for us to stay. Always loved to stay at my aunts house. Never liked having to water her front yard though... but always a pleasure to stay at her house. Love you aunt and never forget you.

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April 2, 2020

With all the madness going on the thing I was waiting to be able to tell you most kind of fell to the wayside. As your time came to an end we had a lot of discussions of the things you wanted me to remember. The thing that stuck most was when you told me that the things you want in life don’t come easy, you have to fight hard for what you want. You told me that you didn’t want me to jeopardize my school to be there all the time and that no matter how hard it got to keep going. You reminded me of all those who were looking up to me, Bailey, Emma, Q, hopefully Paul. You told me there was no doubt in your mind that I could continue to go to school and finish and do great things in my life. When you told me that at the time I thought I was going to fail the semester, I had two F’s and no hope that I could get them up, but of course you didn’t know that. You said to keep fighting and work hard and I could get what I was working for. We didn’t get a lot of time together when I was younger, but in that moment I knew you knew me. You knew that school was super important to me and that in that time I was doubting that. I miss you more and more everyday, I hear the sadness in Grandpas voice and see it in his eyes. He misses you and during this time he is scared. We weren’t always close but I still miss you more than you will ever know. I wish we could just have some more time. But I just wanted to tell you that I made honor roll again for the fall semester, despite everything going on I was able to pull though and get my grades back up. This was a proud moment for me because I knew you would be smiling because I knew you would be proud and because I knew you were right there alongside me. I knew that I had gone through a lot that semester and so did everyone and we all pulled together to be there for each other. We all love and miss you especially dad and grandpa.

My Guardian Angel

January 15, 2020

I have been thinking about you a lot lately as the holidays just got over and that was when we got to spend a lot of our time together. As well as school just started back up. I remember when I was little and you always told me that I had lots of guardian angels looking out for me and that whenever I was scared to pray to god and my guardian angels to put a hedge of protection around me. Although I have never been a big believer and practice of religion when I was scared I would always say in my head "God please put a hedge of protection around me and my mom, dad and Paul" and no matter what or why it made me feel better and to this day it still brings me a sense of security when I say it even though I am not a huge believer. Lately I have been having a lot of days where I am nervous and worried but I also say it in my head and it makes me feel a little bit better and especially now that I know you are one of my guardian angels and that you are looking over me. I think about you all the time when I start to doubt myself and want to quit especially at school. I will always cherish one of the last conversations we were able to have and when you told me that if there was anyone who could do it, it was me and that you believed in me. You told me to never give up because having that education would be something that I would always cherish and that a lot of people have given up a lot for me to be where I am. I love and miss you everyday and when I really need to hear your voice I always watch a video of you showing me how to make tamales. We all miss you so much and we are taking good care of grandpa for you. I love you so much rest in peace grandma.

November 28, 2019

I was going through pictures on my phone and I found one of the day I brought you home to go see the doctor in Longmont, you and dad were asleep in the truck. You looked like you, and as I scrolled through more pictures as you went through chemo and through your last few days with us. I don't know why but I can't stop crying, I miss you, more than I show. I hear a song that reminds me of you and I lose it. I wish you were still here.

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