Verna Carol Gaylord October 26, 1936 - September 23, 2025

Early Life and Education
Verna Carol (Nikolauson) Gaylord was born on October 26, 1936, in Turlock, California, to her parents Joel and Nancy Nikolauson. She attended Turlock High School, graduating with the class of 1954. After completing high school, Verna pursued higher education at Fresno State, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1958.

Marriage and Family
During her college years, Verna met Vernon J. Gaylord. They married in June of 1959 and together built a loving family. Verna and Vernon raised three children: Erin (Terence), Theodore (Sheri), and Kristin. Over time, their family grew to include grandchildren Lauren, Maggie (Zach), Keeghan, Jeff, Greg, and Paxton, as well as great-grandchildren Paisley and Henry.

Career in Education
Verna dedicated 28 years of her life to teaching in the Chattam School District, with most of her career spent at Mt View Elementary School. She formally retired in 1998, but her passion for teaching led her to continue as a substitute teacher for several years. In her post-retirement role, Verna worked closely with children experiencing speech impediments, collaborating with the school’s speech pathologist and offering individualized support. Her commitment to education was recognized in 1997 when she received the School Bell Award for excellence in Education.

Personal Life and Friendships
Verna valued time spent with her family and took great pride in her close-knit relationships. She treasured her many friendships, maintaining lifelong bonds with the women she worked with throughout her career. At the age of five, Verna traveled by steamship with her parents and brother to Norway and Sweden to visit relatives, an experience that led her to become fluent in Swedish. She was proud of her Scandinavian heritage and enjoyed sharing it with her children, though her enthusiasm for traditional dishes like Lutefisk and pickled herring was not always shared by her husband and children.

Legacy and Services
Verna is survived by her husband Vernon, her children Erin and Theodore, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother Byron, her twin brother Clair and her daughter Krisrin.

A service will be held at Allen Mortuary in Turlock, on Saturday, October 11,2025 at 10:00AM
A graveside service will follow at Turlock Memorial Park, and a reception will be held at the Fruityard Restaurant in Hughson, California.