Verna Zae (Highland) Denniston

July 21, 1931 - Oct. 15, 2025

Our sweet mother, grandmother and friend, Verna Denniston passed away peacefully at her home Oct. 15, 2025, at the age of 94.

Verna was born in Shell, Wyo., on July 21, 1931. She was the second child born to Orville James and Myrtle Verna (Smith) Highland. Her older brother, Herbert Blaine Highland, was her only sibling.

She was the granddaughter of Herbert S. and Flora B. (Townsend) Smith, and the great granddaughter of Jordan Latham and Mary L. (Colyer) Smith of Shell.

She often spoke fondly of growing up in Shell, Wyo., and her love for her parents, grandparents, family members and friends she associated with. She loved spending time with her father Orville and helping with the bean crops and tending animals. She loved being outside with him. As a teenager, she helped her mother with household chores and cooking as well. She also spent many wonderful hours with her grandmother, Flora.

She went to school in the little red schoolhouse in Shell from first to sixth grade.

She was blessed with many happy memories in grade school, such as playing baseball at recess, and school activities, such as dress up days and Christmas plays.

In seventh and eighth grade, she attended the Whaley School. She loved school and the friends she made at the Whaley School. The kids had a club where they would bring treats for their meetings. Here she was able to show off her baking skills and other talents. She graduated high school in Greybull, Wyo.

Verna married Cecil D. Denniston in Billings, Mont., on Nov. 24, 1950. Together, they raised five children: Orville E. Denniston of Basin, Colleen Z. (Stanley) Jones of Otto, Myrtle C. (Ty) Tanner of Grand Junction, Colo., Gerald D. (Francine) Denniston, and Stacy L. (Sean) Foote of Basin.

Her husband, Cecil, passed away in 1991.

Throughout her married life and raising her children, our mother, Verna, was an excellent example of taking care of her elderly neighbors, raising gardens and flowers. She was a great cook, loving and dedicated mother. Verna taught her children truth, love, being trustworthy, honest, how to deal with adversity and having a positive attitude. She also taught her great work ethic.

In later years, she enjoyed quilting, making latch hook rugs, embroidery and other crafts.

She is survived by her five children, 15 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren. Services were held in Basin at the Atwood Funeral Chapel and burial was at the Mount View Cemetery on Oct. 22, 2025.

The Atwood Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

The family will host a celebration of life for Verna in Shell, Wyo., next summer.