Verna Mae Schrader

VERNA MAE SCHRADER

Verna Mae (Gurley) Schrader passed away peacefully on December 6th, 2010 after a lengthy battle with cancer under the care of Hospice. She died at home surrounded by her loving husband and children.

Verna Mae was born November 2, 1922 to Leo and Vera (Christie) Cuypers on a farm southwest of Dickey. She was one of 10 children, and the last living member of her family. Verna Mae received her early education in a country school in Russell Township and received her diploma at Dickey High School in 1940. She attended VCSTC graduating in 1942 with a standard teaching certificate. She taught school in Grand Rapids and at rural Adrian township schools. On November 13, 1942 she was united in marriage to Donald (Kyd) Schrader in the Dickey Catholic parsonage. They made their home together and raised four children on what was called the "halfway farm" located west of Adrian. Verna Mae worked beside her husband in the fields, milked cows, raised chickens and a garden. She loved house plants and always had a beautiful array in her home. The blooming cactus was one of her favorites. She sewed clothes for her children, and was known for her cooking and baking talent, especially her wonderful pies. She belonged to the Adrianna Homemakers Club and helped organize clubs in the Dickey area. Verna Mae, along with Lillian Skattum, were the first leaders of the Jolly Adrianette's 4-H Club. As a young couple, Verna Mae and Kyd enjoyed playing cards with neighbors and liked to square dance. One of her favorite hobbies was embroidery. She made stacks of dish towel sets to give away. Other hobbies include making afghans, quilts, and macramé plant hangers.

She enjoyed family trips with the Skattums, car trips to Yakima, Fayetteville, and a train trip to California. For a few years, the "snow birds" traveled to Arizona for the winter. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary by taking a bus trip to New England to view the fall colors. Verna Mae liked to read novels and was a frequent visitor at the local library. She liked to start her day with the Jamestown Sun crossword puzzle and a cup of coffee. She loved to watch baseball, especially the Minnesota Twins, and last July attended a game in their new stadium. On Sundays she loved to watch PGA golf tournaments on television so much we think she had a crush on Phil Mikkelson! Verna Mae was a member of the Nortonville and Buffalo Lanes ladies bowling league during the winter months. But as soon as the snow melted, she headed out to the golf course. Golfing was her passion in her retirement years and she golfed three days a week up until she was 87 years old. She was a member of Hillcrest Golf Course ladies league. Verna Mae stayed active and she rarely missed her afternoon coffee time with friends, unless she had to be some place for her family. Grandma "white hair" would often come and watch her grandchildren participate in school or sporting events. Whenever possible, she and Kyd would drive many miles in the "Gurley" van to attend those events. Verna Mae had a kind and generous heart. Several of her nieces and nephews came to stay with them on the farm; and some came to live with them at their home in Jamestown. All were welcome, and the time spent with these young people enriched their lives.

Verna Mae was a devout Catholic. She received her First Communion and Confirmation at Assumption Church in Dickey. She was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church of Nortonville until she and Kyd moved to Jamestown in 1982. They became members of the Basilica of St. James. She helped serve lunch at many funerals at the Basilica. Her living example of love and devotion to God were instrumental in her husband's decision to become a Catholic. Verna Mae and Kyd quietly celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on November 13, 2010. Verna Mae was a loving wife and mother who will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, three daughters; Donnell Herzog, Fayetteville, AR; Gayle (Richard) Lamp, Edgeley, ND; Nancy (Terry) Amundson, Elbow Lake, MN; one son, Scott (Donna) Schrader, Adrian, ND; 11 grandchildren; DesiRee' (Mike) Wilkins, Tamra Herzog, Lance (Amy) Herzog; Tyler (Erin) Lamp, Stuart (Jamie) Lamp, Jordan Lamp; Ryan (Nicole) Amundson, Tara (Beau) Rothschadl; Jenna, Abby, and Donald Schrader; 17 great grandchildren; Blake and Bailey Wilkins, Daniel (Casey) Glisson, Casey Smith; Chelsea Herzog; Bailey, Carson, and Dalton Lamp; Grace, Molly, and Logan Lamp; Brett and Aubrey Amundson; Jaydn, Taylor, Gracie, and Jaxon Rothschadl; and 1 great, great grandson; Brandon Glisson. She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters; Mathilda (Tillie) Smith, Vera Grace (Jackie) Carpenter, Louise Schrader, Geraldine (Jerry) Cox; five brothers; Leonard, Dale, Harry, Donald, and Lawrence, two nieces and three nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial - 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 11, 2010 at St. James Basilica, Jamestown, ND

Rosary Service - 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 10, 2010 at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, ND

Prayer Service - 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 10 at Lisko Funeral Chapel

Visitation - 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Lisko Funeral Chapel and 1 hour prior to services in the church on Saturday.

Interment - Dickey Cemetery, Dickey, ND.