Verna Stave

   Verna Stave entered into eternal rest on September 2nd, 2020 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. After 70 years of living with Diabetes and its complications, she is now free. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Beaver Creek Lutheran Chruch, rural Hatton, ND. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Following the service, there will be a lunch held at Keith Johnson's Farm. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are recommended.

     Verna Mae Johnson was born in Steele County, North Dakota on October 8th, 1940 to Norris and Clara (Beck) Johnson She grew up and attended rural school until the eighth grade. She graduated from Northwood High School in 1958 and continued her studies at Mayville State College and UND, graduating from UND in 1963 with a BA in Social Work. After three years working for the Benson County office she left North Dakota to further her studies in Madison, Wisconsin. When she returned to ND she worked in social services centers in the Rolla area. She met and married Dave Stave. During the time of their marriage she worked in Leeds, ND. Her remaining and the majority of her career was spent in Walker, MN where she worked until her retirement in 2000. Child protection services was her focus and often included bringing foster children home for a weekend and advocating for their safety. The last years before retirement were spent in adult and elderly services. While at Walker, her baked goods were always special treats for her co-workers and her singing was enjoyed by her church.

     In 2000 she moved back to live in Northwood with her mother Clara. When Clara moved to the nursing home, Verna’s dedication to visit daily made her a well known face at NDHC. Even after Clara’s death, she continued to participate in Bible study and other activities. Her golf cart was a frequent sight on the streets of Northwood. A move to the NDHC assisted living in the fall of 2017 made it easier for her to share her faith, baked goods and visits with the residents. Verna had a generous heart. To NDHC and several churches, she gave bountiful gifts of CD players, Bibles, books, musical instruments and anything else needed to spread the word of the Lord. She also gave away hundreds of pens proclaiming her faith in Jesus Christ. Bible verses were written on everything from grocery lists to pieces of mail.

     In her life, family was only second to God. Although Verna never had any children of her own, her many nieces and nephews became “her kids”. Auntie Verna showered them with love, prayers, and gifts. Everyone was always remembered on birthdays and holidays with a card, gift or phone call. Her collection of music, books and jewelry is evidence of her love of shopping and buying things. At Christmas, everyone she knew received a ND Horizons calendar if they wanted one or not. 

     Verna was a faithful servant of God throughout her life always studying His word and sharing His promises for eternal life in Him. She is now rejoicing in the reward of those promises.

     She was proceeded in death by her parents, brother Wayne, sister-in-law Patty and several aunts and uncles.

     She is survived by sisters, Rose (Lynn) Teie and Tammy (Paul) Hofer, brothers, Keith (Becky) Johnson, Leslie (Marci) Johnson, Brian (Laurel) Johnson and sister-in-law Mary Johnson. Nieces and nephews Rendi (Shane) Ebach, Darci (Joe) Schettler, Corey (Hillary) Teie, Darin Teie, Angie Westling, Laura (Joel) Foss, Chris (Jennifer) Johnson, Jeremy (Lindsey) Johnson, Jason (Becky) Johnson, Sasha Tandberg, Mikayla Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan (Sara) Johnson, Rachel (Ryan) Huso, Katie (Seth) Iverson, Karissa Hofer, Alexis Hofer, Brayden Hofer, Caleb Hofer and Levi Hofer and many great nieces and nephews, three great great nieces and Aunt Shirley Beck.