Beverly Ann Volla

On October 13, 2012, heaven welcomed another angel. Beverly Ann Volla, 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family at Sanford Hospital in Mayville. Beverly Ann Grinde was born November 7, 1929, in Mayville Hospital, the daughter of Bertram and Julia (Brun) Grinde. She attended a country school at Roseville No. 1 until eighth grade and graduated from Mayville High School in 1947 from a class of 47 students. Beverly completed a summer session in teacher education at Mayville State Teachers College, and at the age of 17, received her teacher’s certificate. Teaching was her passion, and she taught the next nine years at country schools Blanchard #4, Blanchard #1, and Bohnsack #1. Wayne Volla, returning home from the Korean War, noticed the pretty blond schoolteacher in the community and the courtship began. On July 11, 1954, they were married and started farming west of Clifford with Wayne’s brother, Merlin. Five years later, they moved east of Clifford to their current farm site, Tower View Farms. This became their lifelong home. Beverly taught piano lessons for most of 60 years, instilling a love of music in her children, grandchildren, and many community children. She was an active farm partner, making meals for the farm crew, running errands to keep the farm running efficiently, and planting, harvesting and canning vegetables from a huge garden. Beverly was active in Norman Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher, member of Sarah Circle, and WELCA member. She also planted and maintained the flowers around the church for many years. Wayne and Beverly were blessed with four children, and later nine grandchildren who were their “life.” Creating special memories was Beverly’s focus with her family. Making each grandchild’s favorite food when they came to visit, enjoying tea parties with her grandchildren, attending their school events and special occasions, and decorating the house for every holiday were priorities for her. Her food specialties were butterscotch pie, banana bread, and several traditional Norwegian cookies. In her retirement years, she loved spending time in her gardens, creating beautiful flower beds with shrubs, annuals and perennials of many kinds. Beverly will be remembered for her loving hugs, generosity, and appreciation for music of any kind – especially when performed by her family. She is survived by her children, Sterling (Barb) Volla of Moorhead; Donalee (Kirby) Josephson of Redwood Falls, MN; Laurie (Jeff) Riley of Wenatchee, WA; Steve (Tammy) Volla of Mayville; sister Paula (Forrest) Tronson of Hillsboro; sister-in-law Joyce Lunde of Fargo; grandchildren Austin (Bee) Volla, Ruby (Jeff) Chandler, Jenna Lee (Steve) Clappier, Tyler and Whitney Josephson, Serena Riley, Brian, Dallas and Jessica Volla; eight nieces and three nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Wayne, brother Roger, and her parents. Memorials may be designated to the Mayville Portland Dollars for Scholars and the Mayville State University Rural Schools Project. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM on Friday, October 19, 2012, at Norman Lutheran Church in Clifford. Visitation: Will be 5 ~ 7 PM on Thursday, October 18, 2012, with a prayer service at 7 PM at Baker Funeral Home in Mayville and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Interment will be in the Clifford Cemetery.