It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Verna Jane Jozovich. Verna passed away peacefully at the Beehive Homes on March 8, 2019. Verna was born on August 21, 1922 to John and Beatrice (Bartlett) Button in Butte, MT.
Verna was one of 7 children and grew up in the Parrot Flat region of the East Side of Butte where she attended the Jefferson and Grant grade schools. At the young age of 13, Verna left school to help care for her Father who was injured in a mine accident. Verna was never able to return to school but her desire to help care for her family at such a young age instilled in her life characteristics that would serve her well for the rest of her life.
Verna married Clarence Jozovich in 1942 and their union blessed them with two boys, Dale and Fred. Verna’s desire was to be a loving wife and mother but the untimely death of her husband in 1959 forced her to join the working world to provide support for her family. Verna worked as a waitress for many years at the original Gamer’s restaurant, Woolworth’s and then later in the Emergency Room at St. James Hospital.
The need to work never diminished Verna’s desire to be an integral part of her two boys’ lives. She involved herself with PTA and supported Dale and Fred’s ventures into sports and other activities throughout their childhood in Butte. In 1953, Verna coordinated a study group that was held through the Jefferson School PTA.
One article Verna read that touched everyone was entitled “My Son”. A discussion was held afterwards and it was obvious that it everyone present was delighted in the way that Verna spoke about “My Son”. What a beautiful testimony to a Mother’s caring devotion to her own sons.
Over the course of Verna’s life, she was an active member of the Pythian Sisters, Cornish Cousins, and most notably the Pioneer Club in Butte. Verna was the chairwoman of the Pioneer Club for many years. At one point the Pioneer Club had over 400 hundred members but due to member age and a declining members, Verna and the other Board members were forced to sell the three-story brick building in uptown Butte that had been owned by the Butte Pioneers Club since 1926.
Verna was committed to donating the proceeds from the sale to local entities. As a result, Verna oversaw the distribution of over $200,000 to Montana Tech, Butte High and Butte Central High Schools, and the Belmont Senior Center. The Butte community was so blessed by this, Verna was named the Grand Marshall of the 2009 4th of July Parade.
Verna is survived by her sons Dale and Barbara (Reed) and Fred. Grandchildren include Karen (John) Conniston, Marc Jozovich and Kristi (Dan) Carroll, Carrie Shinkle, Matt Jozovich and Jesse Jozovich. Verna was also blessed with 6 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great Grandchild that is due in September.
There are also numerous nieces and nephews that will miss their Aunt Verna dearly. Verna was preceded in death by her parents John and Beatrice, Husband Clarence and all six of her siblings. Verna’s family would like to say a special thank you to the staff at Bee Hive Homes, her many physical, speech and occupational therapists, Copper Ridge Skilled Nursing Facility and Senior Solutions Hospice for making Verna’s last days with us peaceful and comfortable.
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