Verna E. Eppler

Verna E. Just Eppler was born March 22, 1923 in Turtle Lake, ND to Walter and Janet Nordquist Renfrow. She grew up and attended school in the Turtle Lake area. She married Theophil "Ted" Just of Mercer, ND, on February 17, 1940, in Turtle Lake, ND. After living on the home farm south of Mercer for eight years, they moved into Mercer where they owned and operated a gas station and repair shop. In 1962 they moved to Oakes, ND and operated a gas station there for several years. Verna worked at various places in Oakes including Oakes Drug, Oakes Community Hospital, Soil Conservation Services, Dale's Jack and Jill Store as well as managing the Travel Host Motel. Theophil passed away in February, 1986. On June 16, 1989 she married Devayne Eppler of Hawley, MN. They lived in Oakes until 1999, when they moved to Hawley and continued to live there until the time of her death. Verna was active in various church groups, Homemaker's Club, Sewing Club, Hobby Club, Food Pantry, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a charter member of the Oakes Food Pantry.Verna is survived by her husband, Devayne; daughter, Raylene Erickson of Delano, MN; sons, Martin Colleen Just of Ankeny, IA, Lloyd Elaine Just of Aberdeen, SD, Gerhart Just of Fargo, ND; one daughter-in-law, Denise Just of Phoenix, AZ; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Charles Renfrow of Bismarck, ND, Frank Jo Ann Renfrow of Emerado, ND, Curtis Marcella Renfrow of Minot, ND, three sisters, Naomi Boukoon of Garrison, ND, Wilma Sandberg of Aitkin, MN, Janet Glen Davis of Wenatchee, WA, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.Verna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Theophil; son, Fredric; son-in-law, Earl Erickson; and sister, Doris.