Verona Burkholder

Verona J. Burkholder, 71, Grand Forks, ND died Sunday, December 26, 2010 in Altru Hospital of Grand Forks. Verona Jeanette Andersen was born January 22, 1939 in Twin Valley, MN the daughter of Jens and Edna (Johnson) Andersen. She was raised and educated at Gary, MN and graduated from high school in 1956. She moved to Fargo, ND where she worked for Manchester Biscuit Company. Verona married Frank Burkholder on April 12, 1960 in Watertown, SD. They lived in Bemidji, MN, Stephen, MN and Manvel, ND before moving to rural Grand Forks in 1973. Along with raising her family, Verona worked as a banquet hostess for the Town House Motor Inn, as a seamstress for Bette's Draperies and for the Home Economy garden center in the spring of the year. She also was a seamstress who worked from her home sewing draperies for Goodman's Home Furnishings and Andersen Hardware & Draperies of Twin Valley, MN. Verona loved to be outside with her flowers, the birds, and her garden. She found great joy sharing the harvest with her family, friends and the needy. Verona also enjoyed playing board games and solving puzzles with her family and friends. She loved her family dearly and spent much of her time playing and laughing with her grandchildren. Verona was a dedicated leader of the volunteer program since its inception 15 years ago at United Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Survivors include her husband, Frank, Grand Forks; sons, Brad (Sandy Josten), Sioux Falls, SD, Bret (Laurie), Grand Forks and Bert (Roxanne), Grand Forks; daughter, Beth (Jamie) Greenwood, East Grand Forks, MN; 11 grandchildren; brother, Larry Andersen, Gilbert, MN; sister, Dona Heyers, St. Croix Falls, WI; half sister, Irene (Verl) Olson, Spokane, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Roger and Armand.