LaVerne Jean Gress Obituary (1941 - 2021)

LaVerne Jean Gress, 79, Bismarck, formerly of Center, North Dakota, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at her residence surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 1, 2021, at St. Martin's Catholic Church, Center. Inurnment will be in the St. Martin Cemetery, Center. Visitation is scheduled for 5-7:00 PM Friday, April 30, 2021, with a Rosary/Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 PM, at St Martin's Catholic Church. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Cremation has taken place. She was born November 3, 1941 at Richardton, North Dakota to August and Esther (Schroeder) Burkhardt. She was the oldest of five siblings. She was raised on a farm near Hebron and then moved to Mandan where she attended high school. She worked at Ohm's Cafe for an afterschool job where she met the love of her life, Paul. They married on April 19, 1960 at St. Vincent\u0027s Church and resided in Mandan till they purchased a farmstead east of Center in 1966. There they built their life together. LaVerne enjoyed every aspect of the farm life, being a farmer's wife and a mother to their children, working side by side with Paul being his right-hand man as they farmed and ranched. Her kids joke about how she had earned a degree in Domestic Engineering because from the house to the field, there was nothing LaVerne could not do. Her personal joys were socializing with others, yard work, gardening and canning most of what was grown. LaVerne loved to cook and bake while taking care of her family. She made some of the best homemade bread. She was well known for her scotcheroos. She and Paul enjoyed dancing when they could find the time to get away. She was an active part of the St. Ann's Circle at St. Martin\u0027s Catholic Church in Center. Paul and LaVerne were married for 55 years. After Paul's death in 2015, Laverne moved to Overlook Ridge in Bismarck. She made numerous friendships throughout her life, especially recently at the Ridge, while enjoying exercise classes, movies, barbecues, bingo, and community socials. It was there that LaVerne found a special friendship with Cathy and Betty. LaVerne was immensely proud and passionate about her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to share with others what they were accomplishing. She leaves behind a legacy of eight children along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed. The family would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation of the outpouring care from the Lisa Goetz, Hospice RN and to Sanford Hospice Services who assisted LaVerne\u0027s family during this exceedingly difficult, emotional, but honorable time for our mother, grandmother, and sister, during her illness. LaVerne is survived by her six children, Leslie (Vivian), Kelly (Mervin) Emineth, Darla (Daniel) Emineth, Russell (Kelly Conrad), Brenda (Joey) Nagel, and Kimberly (fianc Matt Mason); numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and special friends; brother, Lyle Burkhardt; and sister, Sandra Robertson. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two daughters, Beverly Gress and Darlene Gress; brother, Dwight Burkhardt; and sister, Judith Dworshak