Verna Ecker

Verna Marion Ecker, 91, of Grandin, ND passed peacefully Saturday, April 19^th 2014, surrounded by her family. 

Verna was born December 16, 1922, in Forest River, ND to John “Allen” and Gladys “Dollie” (Dunlop) Sampel.  Verna attended a rural school across the road from their house.  She attended Mayville College in 1940, then taught for two years in rural schools in Pembina and Walsh Counties.  In 1944 she was hired to teach in Grandin, North Dakota.

Verna married (Fredrick) Dean Ecker October 21, 1945 at her parents’ home near Forest River.  They raised four children on their farm west of Grandin, farming until retiring in 1985. Dean continued to help full time until his death in 1988.   Verna continued to lovingly prepare lunches for the men and was happiest when her family gathered around her dining room table enjoying one of her wonderful meals, especially if there was a new baby.  Verna was active in the Presbyterian Church as a teacher, Elder, and member of PW.  She was an intelligent, quiet, giving, politically minded, selfless person, always thinking of or praying for someone else.

Verna was preceded in death by her husband, Dean, siblings Lona O’Neil, and Gilbert Sampel.

Verna is survived by her children: Wesley (Myrna) Ecker, Grandin, ND, Perry (Sandy) Ecker, Watford City, ND, Hal (Pegi) Ecker, Fargo, ND, Eileen (Wade) Stubson, Fargo, ND, 7 grandchildren: Sara (Garner) Eeg, Greenbush, MN,  Dan (Mikaela) Ecker, Fargo, ND, Kami (Michael) Kindel, Bismarck, ND, Adam (Amanda) Stubson, St. Paul, MN, Drew Stubson, Fargo, ND, Scott Ecker and Molly Ecker, Fargo, ND, and 7 great-grandchildren, her sister Joyce (Howard) Bell of Indianapolis, IN, and sisters-in-law: Merle (Harold) Stokke, of Fargo, ND; Bev (Bob) Ecker, of Jamestown, ND, Bonnie (Gilbert) Sampel of Forest River, ND.

Memorials are preferred to the Grandin Community Cemetery.