Verna Jean Gifford

Verna J. (Wilks) Gifford, age 92, Wichita, Kansas, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026. Verna was born on January 14, 1933, to Vernon R. Wilks and Lavon B. (Hinshaw) Wilks in Garden City, Kansas. As a young child, the family moved to Rose Hill, Kansas, where she graduated high school. She married her high school sweetheart, Carl D. Gifford, on October 24, 1952, and most recently celebrated 73 years of marriage. To this union, three children were born — Wayne, Judy and Mark.

Carl and Verna moved to Norfolk, Virgina, during their first years of marriage while Carl served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. After Carl’s service, the couple returned to Kansas to live out their lives. Verna worked for many years as a bank teller and bookkeeper in various banks in the area, retiring from Bank IV (now Bank of America) in 1998. They both were avid sport fans, rarely missing a televised KU Basketball, KC Royals or Kansas City Chiefs game. They attended and were faithful members of Derby Brethren Church.

More than anything, Verna enjoyed getting together with family. In the early years of marriage, she and Carl would gather up the children and go on a fishing/camping trip, sometimes leaving in the middle of the night at the spur of the moment. They made several trips to Canada with both sides of the family for fishing and camping. She loved helping family members on both the Wilks and Gifford sides put together Christmas gatherings, and none would be complete without her famous iced tea, chocolate/peanut butter sheet cake, deviled eggs and garlic salad. In later years, she enjoyed going out to eat with family, but it wasn’t perfect unless the family requested the “round” table so everyone would be able to more easily talk with one another.

After suffering several falls and mishaps in her later years, Carl & Verna moved to Sedgwick Plaza Assisted Living in Wichita, Kansas, in 2025. It didn’t take long for the staff and residents to say they were the cutest couple, and that she was the sweetest woman! To Verna, life was complete as long as she was beside “her Carl,” and that is where she was as she took her last breath.

Verna is survived by her husband Carl, of the home; sons Wayne Gifford (Maggie) and Mark Gifford (Angie) both of Wichita, KS; daughter Judy Allison (John, deceased) of Ashland, OH; five grandchildren, Lance Gifford (Erin), Clint Gifford (Christina) both of Derby, KS; Michael Allison of Ashland, OH, and Kaelyn and Caleb Gifford of Wichita, KS; two step-grandchildren Travis & Troy Prosser both of Lawrence, KS; five great-grandchildren, Gunner Gifford, Bobbi Gifford, Grace Gifford, Isaiah Gifford, and Michael Gifford, all of Derby, KS; three step-great-grandchildren, Chloe Tullis (Blayten) of Wichita, KS, Camdyn Wade of Richmond, VA, and Callie Wade of Manhattan, KS; one step-great-grandson, Boston Tullis; two brothers Ed Wilks and Jack Wilks both of Rose Hill, KS; sisters-in law Irene Lynch of Mulvane, KS, Barbara Gifford of Haysville, KS, Jeanette Gifford of Clarksville, AR, and Phyllis Wilks of Mulvane, KS; brother-in-law Delbert Gifford of Mulvane, KS, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Lavon, sister Levita Smith, brother Lorraine Wilks, sister-in-law Dorothy Wilks, brothers-in-law Kenneth Gifford and Robert (Bob) Gifford; and son-in-law John Allison.

Baker Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements, and no service is planned.