LaVerne Heiraas

LaVerne “Lynn” Heiraas, age 82, of Ulen, Minnesota, died Tuesday, November 10, 2009, in the Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen. LaVerne A. Winstryg was born September 27, 1927, the daughter of Sigvald and Eva (Mjor) Winstryg at home near Lake Park, Minnesota. She attended a small country school in the Richwood, Minnesota, area. Lynn went on to Business College in Detroit Lakes and in 1946 became a Dental Assistant to Dr. Pete Schroeder. On January 24, 1948, Lynn was united in marriage to Aldus Heiraas in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The couple made their home in Ulen, Minnesota, for two years while Aldus owned a trucking business hauling for area farmers. Lynn and Aldus then moved out to Aldus’ home farm near Borup, Minnesota. It was here that their three children, Al, Debbie and Dawana were raised. She worked very hard caring for her family as well as many aspects of farm life. Lynn had a huge flock of chickens with eggs to pick, wash and sell. She also had a large vegetable garden with produce to freeze and can in the fall as well as beautiful flower beds and a large lawn. At harvest time, Lynn would provide meals for a large crew of men who would come to work at silo filling, which would go on for a week. Due to Lynn’s allergies, she and Aldus bought a house in Detroit Lakes. During her 19 years of living there, Lynn enjoyed playing in a Kitchen Band called the Ding-a-lings. Lynn became a resident of Viking Manor in December, 2008 where she resided until the time of her death. Aldus died March 10, 2009. Lynn had a wonderful artistic gift. She loved to draw and work with crafts. Lynn used this gift when she was activity director at Viking Manor Nursing Home for 15 years. Lynn also enjoyed baking and serving large meals to her family. LaVerne is survived by a son, Al (Donna) Heiraas of Twin Valley, MN; two daughters, Deborah (Rev. Jonathan) Overland of Okotoks Alberta, Canada and Dawana (Roger) Sorensen of Ulen, MN; two brothers, Stanton (Carolyn) Winstryg of Papillion, NE and Rev. Marvin (Helen) Winstryg of Washburn, ND; two sisters-in-law, Marcy (Earl) Hillstead of Hitterdal, MN, and Melva Flesjer of WA; 13 grandchildren: Rev. Anthony Heiraas, LaShawn Yarbrough, Londa Antoine, Andrew Heiraas, Lana Lappi, Laura Bergren, Shannon Erickson, Joshua Overland, Jeremiah Overland, Danita Moore, Roy Sorensen, Rodney Sorensen and Diana Bolton; 23 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband and a granddaughter, Jennifer Overland. Funeral Services was held on Saturday, November 14th at 11:00 AM in Jevnaker Lutheran Church, rural Borup. Visitation was one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Officiating was Rev. William Helland with Alisha Mathsen serving as organist and special music provided by her family accompanied by Danita Moore and Lana Lappi. Pallbearers were Lynn’s granddaughters, LaShawn Yarbrough, Londa Antoine, Lana Lappi, Laura Bergren, Shannon Erickson, Danita Moore and Diana Bolton. Burial were in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley.

LaVerne Heiraas

September 27, 1927 - November 10, 2009