BORN

1929

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Shadow Mountain Mortuary

2350 East Greenway Road

Phoenix, Arizona

Verna Anfinson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 22, 2018.

Verna Ann Anfinson transitioned peacefully on January 20, 2018 in Scottsdale, AZ surrounded by her family. Verna Ann Johnston was born April 15, 1929 on the family farm in Grand River Township, Perkins County, South Dakota, the first of four children, to Annie Mathilda (Mueller) and LuVerne Eugene Johnston. Later the family relocated to Hettinger, North Dakota. Verna graduated with honors from Hettinger High School in 1947. When Verna met Arvel "Bud" Anfinson at a high school dance, it was love at first sight. They married in Baker, Montana July 30, 1946. Three children were born to this union: Arlyce Ann Mitzel, 1949; Jon Scott Anfinson, 1954; and Stacie Annette Anfinson, 1960.
During high school and the early years of marriage, Verna worked outside the home as the Hettinger High School secretary and bookkeeper, while also working on the family farm with her parents and grandparents. She worked as an accountant with her mother, and assisted at Anfinson Auto & Implement. Later, when Bud expanded into retail sales and franchises, Verna put to good use her acquired accounting skills and practical knowledge to set up the foundation for Anfinson Fleet Wholesale stores where she became the primary buyer and manager. Verna said her most rewarding joys were raising her children, seeing her grandchildren grow, and working hand-in-hand with her husband. Together, with their children, Bud and Verna grew the family business into 6 retail stores (Hettinger, Bowman, Baker, Glendive, Beach, and Dickinson).
Verna, Bud, and other local business people recognized a need for another competitive financial institution to serve the community. This common goal gave rise to a state-chartered bank, known as West River State Bank, later sold to Dakota Western.
Putting aside all the success of the Anfinson stores, Verna always felt blessed getting to work the family business with her mother, husband, and children.
As time passed, the Anfinson Wholesale stores were sold, allowing Verna, Bud and Jon more time to travel and spend winters in Arizona. For 53 blessed years, Verna had one steadfast, lasting romance. Bud's death in 1999 was irreparably life-changing, and Verna and Jon began dividing their time between ND and AZ so they could spend more time with daughters and grandchildren. Always concerned and interested in family, Verna was instrumental in providing for her grandchildren's academic studies, health and welfare.
Verna was a life-long member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hettinger, ND. Verna supported her parish as a Catholic Daughter and, in later years, a carillon contributor. Always the civic-minded philanthropist, Verna supported local communities through all avenues of her children and husband's interests including 4-H, the local Republican Party, For the Beauty of Hettinger, the Hettinger Cemetery Fund, the Jamestown Crippled Children's Home, the state Arthritis Foundation, Concordia College Scholarship program, Mayo Clinic, and most importantly, Hettinger Hospital's West River Health Foundation.
Verna was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; her parents, LuVerne Johnston and Annie (Mueller) Johnston; two brothers, Donald Johnston and Gerald Johnston; her in-laws Albert Anfinson and Enid (Cartwright) Anfinson; two sisters-in-law Beth (Anfinson) Markegard and Marie (Anfinson) Norby; a brother-in-law Gene Fisher; and a son-in-law, Peter Martin. Verna is survived by two daughters, Arlyce Ann (Anfinson) Mitzel and Stacie Annette Anfinson; a son, Jon Scott Anfinson; a sister, Sheila Kay (Johnston) Fisher; three sisters-in-law, Donna Mae (Scheeler) Johnston, Lorene (Anfinson) Hall, and Merry (Adams) Johnston; six grandchildren, Dr. Derek James Mitzel and wife Stephanie, Heidi Ann Blechner and husband Ari, Dr. Heather Marie Levy and husband Eric, Holly Lynn Mitzel; Haley Lynn Anfinson Martin; and Ariana Annette Anfinson Martin; five great grandchildren, Ty, Reed, and Harper Mitzel, and Hadley and Grace Levy.
Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the Rosary and Reflections starting at 7:00 pm and a light reception following the Rosary. Burial will be at the Hettinger Cemetery in Hettinger, North Dakota. The family will honor Verna with a Memorial Service at the Hettinger Holy Trinity Catholic Church during Verna's favorite month of the year: July (Hettinger's 4th of July being Bud & Verna's favorite event of the year and their anniversary month).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that the Hettinger Hospital be remembered, and donations can be made to West River Health Foundation. Condolences can be sent to: Verna A. Anfinson Family, P.O. Box 1129, Hettinger, ND, 58639.

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4 Entries

January 24, 2018

Evelyn Knudson Sass

Dear Family & Verna's Many Loved Ones. Your loss of Verna is great. We have long ago memories going back to the 40's when Verna visited our family in Miles City MT many times. We loved our times in Hettinger & fun times with Verna & all the relatives. Mother Geraldine Knudson had Very Special closeness with Verna Forever in our hearts Dear Verna. Evelyn & Peter Knudson.

January 23, 2018

Marilyn McGinley

Stacie and Family:
Know that others are thinking of you at this time. I know that you will cherish the wonderful memories you have of her. I recall reading a lovely story about her in the Hettinger paper years ago. She was a proud Miss North Dakota Mom. Love to all of you as you say farewell. Marilyn McGinley/ Williston

January 22, 2018

Jim Reinhart

Dear Stacie and family,

My heart goes out to you all in compassion!

I did not know Verna personally. I believe I met her briefly a couple of times when Stacie and I were students at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. But I know Stacie, and I'm certain Stacie that your mother is reflected in you. And I'm just as certain that she is also reflected in each of her children and her grandchildren in various ways.

Stacie, I'm sure that you and your siblings and Verna's grandchildren have fond memories of recalling the pitter-patter of your small feet running around your childhood home with your mother and father gently watching over you, as well as beautiful memories of very many other sounds, such as music that filled your lives together. I'm certain that you recall the many sights and the wonderful aroma of that home,and of your parents. You recall the taste, aroma, and sights of delicious meals she made for you in love, and the fun you may have had helping her prepare meals. And you recall the touch of her lovingly hugging you, and kissing your boo boos. And these many sense memories from your entire lives experiencing Verna you will cherish in your hearts from here on. Memories of birthdays,Christmases,Easters,and many other holiday celebrations. So many other good memories!

May God hold you all in His Mighty and Loving hands during these times and in the weeks and months ahead. Let Him carry you all when you are too weak to walk alone. May His sure promise of a Heavenly Home comfort you as you know Verna is with God and her best friend Bud, as well as her other loved ones who have gone Home before her.

There is a party in Heaven to welcome Verna Home. May these thoughts, and the trust that God has prepared a Home for each of you someday be of some comfort as you deeply grieve for Verna. Hold on to each other lovingly as you mourn together.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever- present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear..." (From Psalm 46)

God Bless You All.
In His Hands.
In Christ,
Jim

January 22, 2018

Donald Slater

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

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