Verna Marie Eide, 86, Fertile, MN, died Wednesday, December 21, 2016, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home, Fertile, MN.

Verna was born on February 21, 1930, to Roy and Anna (Hillesland) Sanden at home in rural Mahnomen, MN. Verna attended country school near her home and graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1948. She continued her education at Bethesda Nursing School in Crookston, MN, graduating with an LPN degree in 1949. She worked at Bethesda Hospital in Crookston, MN until 1952.

On August 24, 1952, Verna married Alf Eide at 1st Lutheran Church in Mahnomen, MN. They were blessed with four children: Helen Jean, James, John and Lisa. Verna and Alf settled in Fertile and operated Eide Mercantile with Alf's brother Anders. Verna cared for her children until they were in school, then joined Alf and Anders at the store. Eide Mercantile served the community for over 115 years, closing in December of 1996 when Verna and Alf retired.

Verna enjoyed volunteer work, especially at Concordia Church in Fertile. She was active in the Concordia Quilters, Service Groups, Circle, Concordia Ladies Aid Food Stand and Luther League. She also enjoyed Study Club, Homemakers and Fair Meadow Guild. Verna and Alf volunteered at the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center during the winter and summer months, at the Polk County Fair and assisted folks with trips to the store or doctor. She was a tremendous cook and enjoyed sharing with others. Especially popular were her lemon pies and bars. She was an avid bird watcher and loved feeding and identifying birds. She enjoyed wildlife of all kinds, squirrels not so much!

Verna volunteered with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency at a grass roots level performing water quality surveys for nearly 40 years on Union Lake. She enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Union Lake, listening to the loons and watching the eagles. She loved to visit with people and spend time with her family and friends.

Verna is survived by her children: James (SallyJo), West Fargo, ND, John (Lina), Fargo, ND; and Lisa (John) Bartholomew, Richland, WA; four grandchildren: David and Thomas Eide, Maxwell and Isabel Bartholomew; Sisters: Clarice DeBoer, Crookston, MN; and Ruth Ann (Jack) Kennedy, Edinburg, TX; brothers: Boyd (Dianne) Sanden, Moorhead, MN; and Dale (Sandee) Sanden, Thief River Falls, MN; and many nieces, nephews and longtime friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alf (2012), two daughters, Helen Jean and a baby daughter, brother LeRoy, and sister, Randi Wendt.

Funeral: 11 AM Wednesday, December 28, 2016 Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation: 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at the Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home, Fertile, MN

Burial: Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.