Verna Gebert, age 88, of Audubon, MN, entered the presence of the Lord on March 4, 2013, in Pioneer House in Fargo, ND.
Verna Anna Nelson, the daughter of Carl and Anna Nelson, was born on October 1, 1924, in Cushing, MN. She grew up on the farm her parents homesteaded, graduated from Pillager High School and from the St. Cloud State Teacher's College. She taught grades 1 - 8 in several one-room country schools and kindergarten at Berean Baptist Christian School, Detroit Lakes, MN.
In May 1947, Verna married Harold Gebert of Princeton, MN. They purchased the Nelson family farm south of Pillager, where they resided until 1962, when they moved to their Audubon, MN, farm.
Verna was well-known for her excellent cooking and baking skills, particularly her homemade breads and rolls. She loved entertaining family and friends and always had cookies or a cake - or even a meal - ready to serve drop-in company. Verna loved reading, sewing, quilting, cross-stitching and other crafts. She tended her African violets and ferns with care and so looked forward to seeing her tulips and peonies blooming in the spring. Verna also loved to participate in Bible studies. Her personal faith in Jesus was carried out in her day-to-day service to others.
Until she suffered a stroke in June 2008, Verna and Harold maintained a huge vegetable garden and an ever-expanding lawn on the family farm. Since 2008, she and Harold have lived in Pioneer House Assisted Living in Fargo, ND.
Verna will be remembered for many enduring qualities, including her love for family and friends, her quick wit, gracious personality and inquisitive mind. Her faith in Jesus Christ provided her with the strength and comfort that she needed during the trials and blessings of life.
Verna is survived by her loving husband of almost 66 years, Harold, of Fargo; one son, Neal (Candi) of Moorhead; three daughters, Pat (Gary) Adams of St. Paul, MN, Eileen (Larry) Opp of Stephen, MN, and Anita (Jerome) Bachand of Brooks, MN; three grandsons, Brian (Ramey) Opp, Darin Opp, and Ryan Bachand; one granddaughter, Kayla Bachand; and two great-grandsons, Kyle Opp and Raiden Moore; cousins; and many nieces and nephews.
Verna was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Anna Nelson; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Sigfred (Ruth) Nelson, Carroll (Lucille) Nelson, and Victor (Gladys) Nelson; her sister, Bertha and her twin sister, Vivian.
Visitation: will be Saturday from 1:30 - 2:30 PM in Pioneer House/Elim Care Chapel.
Memorial Service: Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 2:30 PM, in Pioneer House/Elim Care Chapel, 3540 University Drive South, Fargo.
(Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead, MN)