Verna Marie Strong, 89, of Idaho Falls, passed away October 5, 2012, at Mt. Vernon Assisted Living Center in Idaho Falls. She was born September 13, 1923, in Antelope, Idaho, the oldest of six children born to William Jennings Reed and Esther Sophia Browning Reed. She grew up on the original homestead east of Ririe. She graduated from Ririe High School in 1942. She earned an Associate degree in education from Ricks College in 1944. She taught school in Moreland, Idaho from 1944-45. On October 1, 1945, she married Jay Meikle Strong in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Jay passed away on January 3, 2011. They lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Schenectady, New York; and Los Angeles, California, before moving to Idaho Falls. She and Jay hosted Lamanite girls in their home for several years and she also tutored reading in the schools. Verna was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had served faithfully in many callings including Stake Primary President. She and her husband served as Family History Center missionaries and also as missionaries at the Temple Visitor's Center. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, canning and home storage. The family wishes to express its greatest appreciation to the staff at Mt. Vernon and Aspen Home Health and Hospice for their care and kindness shown to our Mom. Verna is survived by the following: sons: Alan R. (Ronda) Strong of Bountiful, Utah and Brent J. (Cindy) Strong of Idaho Falls; a daughter, Jane (Martin) Woodbury of Longmont, Colorado; sisters: Karma Brinkmon and Laurell Croft both of Idaho Falls; a brother, Jerry (Connie) Reed of Ririe; 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, Jay, Verna was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Robert William Reed and Richard Browning Reed; sisters-in-law: Phyllis Stacker, Venna Croft and Lorna Rae Rice and brothers-in-law, Raymond Brinkmon, and David H. Croft. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at the Idaho Falls LDS 24th Ward Chapel, 1155 First St., with Bishop Kelly Frew officiating. The family will visit with friends from 1 p.m. until time of services at the church. Burial will be Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St., Idaho Falls. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your own choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com