Verna Pappuleas

Verna Marie Pappuleas age 85 passed into the arms of her Savior on January 26, 2017 with her husband of 65 years Jerry Pappuleas and sons John and Glenn by her side.
A member of Faith Presbyterian Church (Tacoma) for 54 years she was a women of deep faith and family values. Verna was above all a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.
Verna was born in Bismarck, North Dakota on March 23, 1931 and along with her older brother Robert Gilchrist II was raised in Cando, North Dakota. In an effort to better provide for their family, in 1942 Robert and Thelma Gilchrist packed up their family and what little they owned and moved to Tacoma, Washington to find work at the Tacoma ship yards during World War II.
When Verna arrived in Tacoma she was in 6th grade and attended Central grade school. It was there that she first met her husband to be Jerry Pappuleas. Verna graduated from Lincoln high school and attended the College of Puget Sound.
After an 8 year courtship with Jerry they were married on January 12, 1952. They had 3 children, Julie, John and Glenn. From these children the Lord blessed her again with 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren all of which were the love of her life.
During the early years of marriage Verna worked for Ernst and Ernst public accounting firm in San Francisco, California while Jerry was serving in the Marine Corps. She also worked as a teachers aid in several Jr. high schools for the Tacoma school district. While she gave importance to her work in these positions she always felt her life mission was building a family with sincere faith and strong values and devoted her life to that end. Her children stand as a testament to these ideals.
When retirement years beckoned Verna and Jerry were off to El Mirage, Arizona where the purchase of a small manufactured home served them well during the winter months for 26 years.

Words alone cannot express how much we all will miss you!

             "No condemnation now I dread, Jesus and all in him is mine!
             Alive in him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
             Bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown through Christ my own"

A special thank you to the caregivers at Avamere Heritage rehabilitation of Tacoma. Their outstanding care touched our hearts.
 

Funeral service will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church, 620 S Shirley street, Saturday, February 4, at 12:00. Reception to follow. 

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