LYDIA VERPLOEGEN obituary

Lydia Verploegen 92, of Havre died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, at Northern Montana Hospital after a short illness.

A viewing will be held from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Friday at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Her prayer vigil service will be held at 7 p. m. Friday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with her funeral Mass 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial will follow north of Havre at the Cottonwood Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the graveside services. Lydia was born Sept. 21, 1914, in Regina, Saskatchewan, to Frank and Mary (Reilich) Loskot. Her father walked from North Dakota to Simpson, where he borrowed a bicycle and rode to Havre the morning a homestead relinquishment was available. They farmed north of Havre in the Simpson area. With encouragement from her father, Lydia completed her high school and college education in Havre. She taught in the country schools north of Havre prior to her marriage. While attending college, Lydia met Marie (Verploegen) Thompson which led her to meeting J. P. Verploegen. Lydia and J.P. were married Dec. 28, 1940, and moved to the family farm in the Cottonwood area north of Havre. There they raised seven children. Lydia was well known for her quiet, patient ways while teaching others. She was a 4-H leader for more than 25 years as well as being a member of the Cottonwood Homemakers, Catholic Daughters and the Hi- Line Quilt Guild. The most treasured moments were spending time with her family. Making gingerbread houses with a houseful of grandchildren, teaching the grandchildren to sew and getting a fishing license to take her grandson fishing are some of the memories she shared. Lydia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, J.P. Verploegen in 2003; brothers, Jacuk and Frantisek; and sisterin- laws, Antoinette Perszyzk and Marie Vander Ven. Survivors include her daughters, Joanne (Bill) Lindstrand of Havre, Marjorie Verploegen of Phoenix, Ariz., Louise Millegan of Mesa, Ariz., andMary Verploegen of Great Falls; sons, Hank (Deb) Verploegen of Hills, Iowa; Frank (Lorraine) Verploegen of Havre and Jim Verploegen of Billings; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions in Lydia's honor may be made to the St. Jude School, 420 Seventh Ave., Havre, MT 59501. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.