Verdeen Grove, 82, died on Sunday, May 30, 2004 at Innovis Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Verdeen Everett Gilbert Grove was born on July 23, 1921 in rural Grand Forks County, North Dakota, the son of Gilbert and Esther (Ellingson) Grove. He attended country school and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith.

He served in the US Army during WW II entering on February 21, 1945 at Fort Snelling, MN and was honorably discharged on December 9, 1946 at Center Fort Lewis, Washington. During his service he received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal and achieved the rank of Sergeant.

On August 4, 1957 he was united in marriage to Eunice Doeden in Hillsboro, North Dakota. The couple made their home in Grand Forks where he was a partner in the Lillestolen and Grove Construction Company, until 1965. The couple then moved to their farm in rural Thief River Falls, where they farmed until retiring in 1983. He continued to help on the farm until he became ill on Wednesday afternoon.

Verdeen was an active member of St. Pauli Lutheran Church, Life member of the East Grand Forks Eagles, American Legion Eklund-Holmstrom Post #117 in Thief River Falls and served many years on the Wyandotte Township Board. He loved to work, he enjoyed playing cards, visiting with the neighbors and fishing. Most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Eunice, Thief River Falls; children Bryan (Vicky) Grove, Thief River Falls, Pam (Mike) Gilberg, Mendota Heights, MN, Scott (Shelley) Grove, Warroad, MN; grandchildren Jennifer Grove, Lindsey Gilberg, Kyle Gilberg, Elizabeth Grove, Evan Grove and sister Jane Harris, Fridley, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters and 1 brother.

ORGANIST: Faye Auchenpaugh
SOLOIST: Don Danielson
SELECTIONS:
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art #532 and Amazing Grace #448
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Wally Torkelson, Eugene Rondorf, Bob Kraemer, Dennis McCullough, David Stroh and Odney Ellingson Sr.
PALLBEARERS: Lyle Bjorge, Mark Ellingson, Tim Raiter, Stu Peterson and Carl Peterson, Jr.
MILITARY HONORS: American Legion Ecklund-Homstrom Post #117 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793