Vernice V. Johnston

Vernice Viola Johnston, 82, of Devils Lake, ND passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at the Eventide-Heartland Care Center.

Funeral services for Vernice will be held on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Pastor Suelzle will officiate at the service and burial will be at the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Family Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Service.

Serving as Casket Bearers will be Vernice’s grandsons, Chet Berg, Paul Berg, Wes Berg, Lee Berg, Brandon MacArthur, Tory Johnston, Brett Johnston and Mathew Weed. Music will be provided by Sherry Kurtz, Tom Burckhard and Elonda Nord.

Vernice, daughter of Edward and Elfreida (Neuman) Henke was born March 8, 1936 in Devils Lake. She attended school in Penn, ND and continued her education at Devils Lake High School.

Vernice was united in marriage to Alfred Johnston, Jr. on September 11, 1953 in Devils Lake. They established their home in the Devils Lake and Penn area where they raised five children and she worked for Christie Groceries, Wilson Insurance Agency and Western Insurance until the company was closed in Devils Lake. She then worked various jobs to keep herself busy and loved her Wednesday ladies day and Friday night happy hour at her apartment.

Vernice was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. She loved bowling, crafting, baking, cooking, Sunday afternoon football and especially watching her children and grandchildren playing sports. Cowboy bread and cookie salad was her specialty for her great grandchildren. She will be truly missed by all but we have so many special memories to carry in our hearts.

Survivors include: her children, Betty MacArthur, Terry (Lee Ann) Johnston, Judy (Dan) Weed all of Devils Lake and Carol (Dean) Berg of Moore, MT. Sixteen grandchildren and twenty-nine great grandchildren, brother Clayton (Cathy) Henke of Devils Lake, sisters-in-law Connie Henke of Auburn, WA and Mary (Eugene)

Leiphon of Devils Lake and nine nieces and nephews.

Vernice was preceded in death by her husband Alfred of 60 years, her parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law Alfred and Eleanor Johnston; son Richard Johnston; son-in-law Michael MacArthur and brother Norman Henke.