Verna Lunke, 84, died Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be 11 AM, Friday, December 22, 2006 at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Holt, MN with Reverend Nancy Hanson officiating. Burial will be at Holt Cemetery, Holt, MN.

Visitation will be 4 " 7 PM, Thursday, December 21, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a 6 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to the service at the church Friday.

Verna Marie Peterson was born April 27, 1922 at Mud Lake, Marshall County, MN, the daughter of Anton and Julia (Johnson) Peterson. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and attended Pleasant View School in Mud Lake. She attended Holt High School, Holt, MN for 3 years and graduated from Newfolden High School in 1940. Verna worked for a few years for Carlson Mercantile Store in Holt.

On August 24, 1946, Verna was united in marriage to Arthur Lunke at the Holt parsonage. The couple made their home in East Valley Township, Marshall County, on the family farm. Through the years, they lived with and cared for Arthurs parents, Ole and Clara Lunke, as well as Arthurs brother, Jens. Arthur died September 1, 1994 and Verna moved to Valley Home in Thief River Falls in January, 2001; then later that year she moved to CNC at Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls, where she has since resided.

She was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church, Holt, MN, where she was very active in Ladies Aid and was a member of Ringbo Homemakers Club. Verna also served as treasurer of East Valley Township for many years. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, music and dancing. Family was very important to Verna as she dedicated her life to caring for them.

Verna is survived by children: Don (Jody) Lunke, Holt, MN; 2 grandchildren: Brad (Sara) Lunke, Thief River Falls, MN and Brenda (Nico) Bennett, Middle River, MN; 5 great grandchildren: Wyatt, Izeck, Ty and Tucker Lunke and McKenna Bennett; 2 sisters: Marles Sagstuen, Newfolden, MN and Joyce (Duane) Larson, Thief River Falls, MN and several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother-in-law, Ray Sagstuen.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

ORGANIST: Cathy Erickson
SOLOIST: Steve Larson
SELECTIONS: Amazing Grace and On Eagles Wings
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art
CASKETBEARERS: Darrold Rodahl, Lyle Haagenson, Don Larson, Dave Myhrer, Lynn Hammer, Brent Lunke, Clifford Steinhauer and Virgil Erickson