Vernetta Olson

A funeral service for Vernetta Olson, 87, of Manning, will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church, Killdeer, with Pastor Dorothy Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery.


Visitation for Vernetta will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 28 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Killdeer.


Vernetta passed away Thursday, November 23, 2017 at CHI St. Alexius Health, Dickinson with family by her side.


Vernetta Mae Bratcher was born March 10, 1930 in Alexander, ND the daughter of Lonzo and Dora Bratcher. She grew up north of Alexander on her parents’ farm and helped her mother in the garden, which perhaps is where her love for gardening of vegetables and flowers began.


While working at the bank in Watford City, she met the love of her life, Clifford Olson. On May 5, 1967 they were married in Alexander at the Church of the Nazarene. The first five years of their marriage, they were blessed with two beautiful children, Jeffrey and Cynthia. In 1972, their family relocated to rural Verndale, MN, where they farmed, operated a dairy farm, and raised beef cattle and horses. While there, Vernetta and her family attended Hope Chapel of rural Verndale, MN. In 2009, Vernetta and Clifford relocated to Manning, ND to be closer to family.


Vernetta loved being out in her garden. She had a very large garden in which she canned. Her love for her flower garden was enough to make all envious. She was able to grow the most beautiful hollyhocks. Her love and devotion to the Lord was admirable; always putting her faith and family first. She knew the Bible and loved sharing scriptures and prayer with all.


Blessed to be a part of her life are her son, Jeffrey (Deborah) Olson of Coralville, IA; her granddaughter she raised as “My Girl”, Kayla Crooker of Williston, ND, grandson Jonathan Olson Coralville, IA, granddaughters Brooke (Clay) Welsh, Lansing, IA, Becky Crooker, Wadena, MN, grandson, Tom (Tanja) Hudson, West Des Moines, IA; six great-grandchildren and one due in December 2017; sisters, Edna Forthun, Williston, ND, and Jewell Abelmann, Williston, ND; and brothers, Edward Bratcher, Williston, ND and Lyle (Sharon) Bratcher, Alexander, ND.


She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clifford; daughter, Cynthia; brothers-in-law, Bill Forthun and Forest Abelmann.


olson vernetta


Burial Date: November 29, 2017
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 29, 2017, St. John Lutheran Church, Killdeer
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 28, Stevenson Funeral Home, Killdeer.