Verna Iverson
Verna E. Iverson, 94, of Williston, N.D., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, at the Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston, N.D.
Verna Edwina (Skari) Iverson was born on June 2, 1927, six minutes before her twin brother, to Albert and Laura (Elken) Skari in Arnegard Township. She attended school at Farland Country School, two years of high school in Arnegard and completed her high school education in Watford City, N.D., in 1945. While in school, she participated as an assistant cheerleader, majorette, played basketball, and sang in the choir. She attended college in Williston, N.D.
On Oct. 9, 1945, she married her high school sweetheart, Joseph H. Iverson, at First Lutheran Church in Watford City, N.D. Together they raised a family of four as well as a foster son on a farm in Farland Township. They moved to Williston, N.D., in 1965. They were active members of Farland Church, Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church and Emmanuel Free Lutheran Church. They served side by side teaching Sunday School, playing the organ for 58 years, singing in and directing the choir and fulfilling many roles in each church’s leadership group.
She was a 4-H leader and WMF President in McKenzie County and secretary for the PTA in Watford City. Following and cheering on her children, grandchildren and great-grand-children in all their activities would take Joe and Verna on many road trips. They especially enjoyed their trips to California, Branson, Mo., and Norway.
Verna worked at the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City and JC Penny Store in Williston. She later worked as a medical transcriptionist for 31 years at Western Dakota Medical Clinic in Williston. She was an excellent cook and one of her signature goodies was Swedish almond cakes. She loved crossword puzzles, crocheting, reading and playing Bunko with her friends.
From being born in the Depression era and later becoming an expert cell phone texter, she experienced great changes over her nine decades of life. Some changes were harder than others, but she always counted on her faith and God’s inerrant Word to see her through.
She is survived by her sons, David (Tina) Iverson of Ballantine, Mont., Pastor Dean J. Iverson of Williston N.D.; daughter, Deanna (Art) Lopez of Aubrey, Texas; grandchildren, Hal (Tiffany) Iverson of Ballantine, Mont., Michael (Raelyn) Iverson of Alexander, N.D., Susan (Terry) Rivers of Maple Grove, Minn., Nicole (Nick) Fister of Kalispell, Mont., Matthew (Kim) Lopez of Frisco, Texas, Tim Lopez of San Jose, Calif., and many great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph of 69 years; daughter, Dianne; foster son, Carlyle Mikkelson; her parents; daughter-in-law, Eileen (Tande) Iverson; grandchild, Tanya Brown; brothers, Iner, Vernon, infant George Albert Skari; sisters, Esther Kundert, Grace Johnson, Juliette Lundquist, Margaret Mai, Selma Engen, Mildred Vernon; cousin, Ruth Carns.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Bethel Lutheran Nursing Home Foundation, 1515 2nd Ave. West, Williston, N.D. 58801.
Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston is assisting the family. Condolences may be left on the Funeral Home website at www.fulkersons.com.
Verna’s Funeral Service was held at 11 a.m, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Emmanuel Free Lutheran Church in Williston, N.D. Pastor Jon Wellumson officiated. Verna was laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in Williston, N.D. Visitation was held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston, N.D.