Sylvia Ann ("Silver") Weerts, 65, Ulen, MN, departed too soon from her loved ones on earth to join those in heaven on September 2nd, 2011, crossing over peacefully while she and her husband slept at home.

Sylvia Ann Thom was born on April 14, 1946, to Elmo and Clara (Kempel) Thom in Langdon, ND. The third of six children, Silver proudly devoted herself to the chores and continuation of the family farm near Wales, ND, along with her siblings and parents. On November 26, 1966, after a courtship of six months, she married her true love, Earl Harm Weerts, beginning their journey of laughter, tears, trials, and joyful moments together.

After Earl returned from serving in the 1st Cavalry Division of the Army in Vietnam in 1968, he and Silver moved to his family farmstead northwest of Ulen, MN. Their two children joined them shortly thereafter. Through hard work, common sense, unwavering devotion, loyalty, kindness and integrity, Silver guided the growth and development both of her family and its dairy operation.

After Earl and Silver decided to end their dairy operation in 1997, she began a new career with the United States Postal Service, where she was responsible not only for delivering merely mail, but also daily greetings, chuckles, and condolences to her postal patrons. She "retired" in the fall of 2009, leaving her responsibilities with the Postal Service to more fully devote herself to the joyful works as a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and servant of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Ulen V.F.W.


Silver's dedication to and pride in her plush and numerous flower beds, tantalizing and fully entertaining feasts with family and friends spanning decades, and her specialty baked goods was surpassed only by her dedication to and pride in her husband, two children and six grandchildren. Silver was known to spend weeks, if not months, planning to create and decorate special birthday cakes and cupcakes of all shapes, colors and sizes for each of her children, their spouses, and each of her grandchildren.

A gifted and jovial conversationalist with remarkable wit, Silver loved to tell stories about her family, and those who knew Silver undoubtedly felt as though they knew her husband, children, and grandchildren as well. They were everything to Silver, as she was to them.

Silver was preceded in death by her father; sister, Barbara Thom; brother, Murray Thom and beloved friend, Elaine Ryding. She is survived by her husband, Earl of Ulen; son, Bryan (Melinda) Weerts also of Ulen; daughter, Shiela (Chad) Sogge of Barnesville, MN; six amazing grandchildren: Andrew (Leah) Hanson, Cole Sogge, Mitchell Fabre, Cade Sogge, Jenna Fabre and Savanna Weerts; her mother, Clara Thom of Langdon, ND; her mother-in-law, Anna Weerts of Ulen; brothers: John (Annette) Thom of Minot, ND, William (Jackie) Thom of Langdon and Gene (Jeannie) Thom of Seattle, WA.

Funeral Services were held Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 2 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen, with visitation one hour prior to the service.