B. LaVerne 'Verna' Johnson

B. LaVerne 'Verna' Johnson

B. LaVerne "Verna" Johnson, 86, passed away after a battle with cancer at Northern Montana Care Center Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013.

A viewing will be held at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church of Havre with Pastor Michael O'Hearn officiating.

A fellowship served by the ladies of First Lutheran Church will be held at the church immediately following the funeral service. Burial will be Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Highland Cemetery.

She will be laid to rest beside her husband, Hylas. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church Bible Camp, Montana State University-Northern Scholarship Fund, American Cancer Society or to one's own choice. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Verna was born in East Fairview, N.D., on March 16, 1926, to Oscar and Blanche Schamehorn Fish. Verna grew up and graduated high school in May 1944 in Fairview, Mont. She held many jobs in the area, including nanny and waitress positions. She retired from Northern Montana College as a cook in April 1988.

Verna married Lloyd Martin in 1946. To this union a son, Varyl, was born. Following her divorce, she married Paul Bingeman in 1947. To this union a son, Douglas, and a daughter, Cheri, were born. Paul adopted Varyl for his own. Paul Bingeman drowned at Fresno Reservoir on July 27, 1953. Verna married Hylas Johnson in 1954. To this union, a son, Kevin, and a daughter, Rita, were born. Verna and Hylas were married for 49 years, living in Havre. Hylas passed away Aug. 30, 2003.

Verna enjoyed crocheting, gardening, flowers and socializing with friends and relatives. She and husband Hylas rarely missed any family or extended family event. They loved being in Arizona and California in the winters and spent many years traveling in their RV's, camping with family and friends.

Verna was a member of Havre Eagles Auxiliary 166, VFW Auxillary, Royal Neighbors, First Lutheran Church and Blue Horizon RV.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Paul Bingeman and Hylas Johnson; sister, Marcella Holom; brothers, Gary and Dale Fish; parents, Oscar and Blanche Fish; and daughter-in-law, Susan Taylor Bingeman.

Verna is survived by her children, Varyl W. Bingeman of Clarkston, Wash., Douglas P. (Sylvia) Bingeman of Moore, Mont., Cheri (Leo) Van Gorden of Havre, Kevin H. (Lorraine) Johnson of Havre, and Rita (Loren) Turner of Coon Rapids, Minn., and step-son, Larry G. Bingeman of Jamul Calif.

Surviving grandchildren are K. Ginelle Bingeman of Tacoma Wash., Michael (Sarah) Bingeman of Richland, Wash., Amy Bingeman Johnson of Tacoma, Wash., Jami L. Van Gorden of Havre, Thomas (Holly) Bingeman of Lakewood, Colo., Dustin Turner of Coon Rapids, Minn., Ashley (Ryan) Olinyk of Ramsey, Minn., Nick Johnson of Gillette Wyo., Erika (Lee) Brekhus of Havre, Deitra Bingeman of Helena Mont., Curtis Bingeman of Denver, Colo., Cody Johnson of Great Falls, Mont., and Mariah Bingeman of Havre.

Surviving great-grandchildren are Alexandria (Alli) Morsette, Katie Sue Bingeman, Zavion Isaiah Bingeman and expecting Brody Brekhus.

She is also survived by sisters, Esther Meidinger of Bismarck, N.D. and Nora Kreb of Great Falls, Mont.; and brother-in-law Ellis Johnson of Havre. She left behind her beloved nieces and nephews to whom she was very close. Dick and Shirley Wilkins and Larry Bingeman were like her own.