Veronica Gradert
Veronica “Ronnie” Gradert, 88, Luverne, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, at the Wealshire of Bloomington.
A funeral mass was Friday, Nov. 20, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne with burial at St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.
Veronica Kerkvliet was born Nov. 3, 1927, to Gerard and Mathilda Kerkvliet on a farm near Larchwood, Iowa. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Larchwood. After graduation in 1945 she attended Nettleton School of Business in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was a secretary for a law firm and for Midland National Life.
On April 26, 1952, Ronnie married Eldon Gradert while he was home on leave before shipping off to Korea. When he returned, the couple lived near Ellsworth and then moved to a farm near Alvord, Iowa. In 1968 they moved to the family farm southeast of Luverne where she had a large garden. Ronnie worked at the Farm Bureau and as a teacher’s assistant in the Luverne schools. She retired in 1998. Ronnie enjoyed traveling, going to the casino, dancing, bowling, playing cards and meeting friends for coffee. She was an active volunteer at St. Catherine and the Hinkly House.
Ronnie is survived by her children, Bryce (Patti) Gradert, Coupeville, Washington, Karla (Dave) McKenzie, Apple Valley, Lisa (Doug) LeMay, Roseville, Lynda Gradert, Minneapolis; ten grandchildren, Meghan (Steve) Ross, Katie (Justin) Twergo, John (Jessica) Gradert, Caleb Gradert, Chris (Lindsey) McKenzie, Ann McKenzie, Stephanie (Dustin) Nord, Brian LeMay, Ben LeMay, Brandon LeMay; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Agnes Friedrich; brothers-in-law Harvey Swanson and Marvin Gradert; a sister-in-law, DonnaLee Gradert; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eldon, on March 9, 2012; a son, Brockton; siblings Rose (Lee) Honrath, Ferd (Jean) Kerkvliet, Bill (Eileen) Kerkvliet, Marcella (Frank) Bennett, Mary Swanson, Bob (Jenny) Kerkvliet; a brother-in-law, Irwin Friedrich; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Torlief and Arlene Thompson.
Memorials may be directed to St. Catherine Catholic Church of Luverne or the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota.
Arrangements were by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, www.dingmannandsons.com
(1125 F)