Verna Monson, age 93, Mandan, formerly of Glen Ullin, died December 12, 2012 at Sanford on Sunset, Mandan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 15, 2012 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Glen Ullin with the Pastor Marcy Dawson officiating. Burial will be at the Glen Ullin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home, Mandan, on Friday, December 14, 2012 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service.
Verna was born on February 4, 1919 in Eagles Nest, ND to Peter and Petrina (Olson) Stiller. She was baptized and confirmed at the Sims Lutheran Church. Settling in Hebron with her family in 1929, she attended school in Glen Ullin and Hebron where she finished the 9th grade. On May 29, 1937 she married Elmer Monson of Glen Ullin. They worked together farming and ranching in the Hebron, Almont, Glen Ullin, and Medora areas. During this time they happily raised three children, Eilene, Ernestine, and George. In 1977 they semi-retired and moved to their final home nine miles south of Mandan where they lived until Elmer’s death in 2001.
One of Verna’s biggest enjoyments in life was family gatherings during holidays and weddings. During these times she would catch up on each family’s happenings and was thrilled to watch her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. She loved cooking for these events and in general enjoyed cooking and caring for family, friends, and neighbors. To pass her time, along with cooking and baking, Verna enjoyed sewing gardening, canning, and bingo.
She is survived by one daughter, Eilene (Adam) Staiger of Seattle, WA; son, George (Joyce) of Ennis, MT; son-in-law, Jim Svihla of Mandan, ND; sister, Irene Roth, Clarkston, WA; brother-in-law, Gaylord Monson of St. George, UT; four grandchildren, Kay (Randy) Miller, Kim (Mike) Pittman, both of Mandan, Jami Monson of Worland, WY, and Jason Monson of Missoula, MT; five great grandchildren, Courtney, Casey, and Carson Pittman and Karamea and Logan Miller, all of Mandan; several sisters-in-law; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Verna was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; daughter, Ernestine; her parents; seven brothers; two sisters; and four grandchildren.