Verna Delight Vinje

Verna Delight Vinje, 92, of Mayville, ND, died Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville. Verna was born April 9, 1917 to Martin and Petra (Smith) Foss in Nielsville, MN. Verna was baptized into Christ and His Church as an infant. She confirmed her faith as a young teenager. Verna attended grade school in the Nielsville area. After graduating from 8th grade, Verna began working outside the home. On March 9, 1941 she married Marlin Brovold. Two children were born into the family, Dennis in 1941 and Maxine in 1946. In 1952 the family moved to Chinook, MT. Verna worked as a hotel maid and later helped Marlin own and run the Fountain Café and the Chinook Bakery. Verna and Marlin retired from the bakery business in 1981 and moved to Mayville in 1982. After Marlin’s death Verna met and married Wilmar Vinje on May 25, 1985. They kept each other young, alive and loved for 24 years. In 2007 Wilmar and Verna moved into the new assisted living apartments at Luther Memorial Home. Verna’s health gradually failed and she moved into the nursing home in September, 2008. Verna is survived by her husband, Wilmar of Mayville; children, Dennis (Nancy) Brovold of Bemidji, MN and Maxine (John) van Ingen of St. Paul, MN; stepdaughter, Lori (Jim Ekstrom) Smith of Mayville; stepson, Gary Lupien of Commerce City, CO; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, her parents, stepfather, four brothers, a granddaughter and great-granddaughter. Verna will be remembered for many things: her love and compassion for the poor, the elderly and the American Indian people. Verna and Wilmar loved to dance. They enjoyed playing cards and scrabble. Verna was active in her church, the Senior Citizen’s Group and the Sons of Norway. But mostly, Verna will be remembered for the unconditional love she gave to her husbands, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. God bless the memory of Verna Vinje. Funeral Service: 2:30 PM, Thursday, May 21, 2009 at Bruflat Lutheran Church, Portland, ND. Visitation: 5-7 PM, Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at the Luther Memorial Home Chapel, Mayville, ND and one hour prior to the funeral service, at the church. Interment: Bruflat Church Cemetery, Portland, ND.