Verona Jean Martin

Verona passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2023, in Texas, surrounded by her loving family. She was 91 years old.

Verona Jean Gulsvig was born on January 26, 1931, to Silas and Nora Jeanette (Trygstad) Gulsvig in Kidder SD. She attended schools in Kidder, Forman, ND, Redwood City, CA and graduated from high school in Park Rapids, MN. She attended Bemidji State University and Valley City State College, graduating with a teaching certificate. She taught elementary school in Grandin and Chaffee, ND.  While attending college at Valley City, she was invited to the Martin farm by her roommate, Virginia, who happened to be the sister of William W. Martin. She married William on December 29, 1957, at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church in Kidder, SD. They made their home on the Martin family farm at Chaffee, ND.

Verona loved reading. She read the Bible daily & loved mysteries and action-packed books and movies. She loved music and singing. She was a member of St John’s Lutheran Church and loved her women’s Bible study. She was an excellent baker and cook; her bread, pies and lefsa will be missed. Verona was proud of her Norwegian heritage and looked forward to fall so she could eat lutefisk dinner at the Sons of Norway. Her faith was strong in the Lord Jesus, and she led by example. She was an extremely hard worker and a fast worker even in her elderly years. In 2016, she and Bill moved to Texas to live with their daughter & husband. She attended Peace Lutheran Church in Mesquite, TX, and enjoyed her weekly “Granny’s Group”.  

Through her years on the farm in Chaffee, Verona and Bill raised 5 children and were active members of the community. They took in foster children and summer foreign exchange students from Japan, Norway, France, and Mexico. They had a tiny house, but it was always large enough for everyone.

Verona was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, William, sons; Kori Martin, Kris Martin, her parents and 2 sisters; Verdell Gulbranson and Donnetta Hoistad and many beloved sisters and brothers-in-law, her Goddaughter, Caroline Martin-Szermeta and nephew Dorn Enderson.

She is survived by her children, Sheryl (Kori) Martin, Broken Arrow, OK, Kara Martin, Dallas, TX, Kaye Lee (Agustin) Aguirre, Royse City, TX, Kyle Martin, Chaffee, ND, Grandchildren, Kali Martin, Oklahoma City, OK, Kavin Martin, Ponca City, OK, Haley Coleman, Oklahoma City, OK, Martin (Onus) Miller, Los Angeles, CA, Mariah Miller, Cottage Grove, MN, Mikal Miller, Chicago, IL, Morgan Miller, Greenville, SC, Grant Baril, New Town, ND, Remy (Addison) McElveen, Forney, TX, Dain (Bayleigh Walker) Baril, Wichita Falls, TX, and Great-Grandchildren, Brendan Draper & Bailey O'Brien, Cottage Grove, MN, Miles & Bear McElveen, Forney, TX, Charlotte Baril, Wichita Falls, TX and Athena Martin, Ponca City, OK.

She is survived by her sister, Lorretta Enderson, Oakes, ND, Brothers-in-law, Roger Martin, Napoleon, ND, Virgil Hoistad, Fargo, ND, Sister-in-law, Rose (Patrick) Markovic, Wilmington, DE, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life ceremony for Verona will be held on April 29, 2023 at 2 p.m. at St John's Lutheran Church, Embden, ND, with dinner to follow. Her private burial will be held at a later date.