Vera Anna Calkins

Vera Anna Calkins, 87, formerly of Winchester Hills, died peacefully with family by her side in her son’s home on August 21, 2017. She was born June 3, 1930 in Calgary, Canada to David and Clara Haase. Vera grew up in small towns of Wyoming and Montana while her father worked the oil fields. Growing up some of her fondest memories included time with her horse, baby pigs, puppies, and kittens. Vera loved animals throughout her life. In ninth grade her family moved to Denver, Colorado where she lived until she married Don Calkins. They had two children during their early marriage, Mark and Pamela, and whom Vera dearly loved. Vera and Don were later divorced, something she did not want. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her children remember her working in the Primary and the many cupcakes she made for the building fund. She always encouraged her children to attend church and seminary. The divorce required her to start her professional career. After a short time working as a dental assistant, she became the Events Coordinator for many years at the Anaheim Convention Center. Later she worked at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) where she ran events and fund raising for the school. Everywhere Vera worked, she developed very close friends. She went out of her way to help her co-workers and was a mentor to many who deeply appreciated her. Vera was also very creative. She loved to quilt, paint, sew dresses for granddaughters, knit, make dolls, and more. At the end of her career, she retired in St. George, Utah and lived her dream in Winchester Hills for over 16 years. That dream included animals. While the kids were growing up they had numerous family pets, parakeets, dogs, and cats. When Mark and Pam had the nerve to grow up and move away, Vera expanded her family with additional animals including a retired thoroughbred racehorse as a gift from dear friends. In all, she had three horses in her retirement years. Her Winchester Hills farm was home to horses, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, and bunnies. Vera is survived by her son Mark Calkins (Kathy) of St. George, and her daughter Pam Proctor (Mike) of Bullhead City, AZ. She has eight grandchildren—Ryan Proctor (Holly) of Payson, UT, David Calkins (Caroline) of McKinney, TX, Tom Proctor (Jessica) of Henderson, NV, Lisa Calkins of Washington DC, Erin Zitzmann (Adrian) of Henderson, NV, Matt Calkins (Kandace) of Glendive, MT, Dan Calkins (Brittany) of Chandler, AZ and Sean Proctor of Henderson, NV. Vera has 16 great grandchildren. The memorial services for Vera will be held at the Washington Fields Stake Center on 1295 S 3000 E in St. George, UT at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017. Internment will take place at Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George directly after the services. Friends and family are invited to share condolences online at www.SerenityStG.com. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home, 986-2085.

Vera Anna Calkins

June 3, 1930 - August 21, 2017