Verna Alexander

Verna Mae Alexander went to Heaven on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014. She was born July 7, 1919 to Henry and Mabel Jensen in Kansas City, Mo. Her parents were both artists, so she grew up learning and loving to work alongside them.

She graduated from high school in Kansas City at the age of 16 and attended Kansas City Junior College for two years. She studied art and was tutored by famed artist and muralist Thomas Hart Benton at the Kansas City Art Institute.

Verna married Charlie Alexander in 1941. Charlie joined the Army Air Force shortly after as a Bombardier Navigator during WWII. Upon discharge from the service, Charlie and Verna moved to St. Paul, Minn. and later to Lake Minnetonka to raise their two sons, Charles Jr. (Jody) and Steven (Illa).

In 1977, Charlie and Verna moved to Rio Verde to enjoy retirement. Charlie didn’t actually retire, but began building custom homes with his two sons. Alexander Homes, led by grandsons, Tom and Charlie Alexander, continues to build and remodel homes in Rio and Tonto Verde today.

Verna became an accomplished artist and was very involved with The Verdes Art League. Her love for Native American, Mexican and Cowboy art grew as she traveled the Southwest. Her art can be seen in many homes in the Verde area.

Verna was blessed with five grandchildren: Wendy Alexander, Minneapolis, Minn.; Holleigh Alexander Ramsey (Kai), Houston, Texas; Katie Alexander Willsey (Matthew), Sheboygan, Wis.; Tom and Charlie Alexander (Kellye), Scottsdale.

Blessings continued for her with the addition of seven great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Community Church of the Verdes in Rio Verde. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Community Church of the Verdes or Verde Cares.