LaVerne E. Lee

LaVerne E. Lee, 80, Mandan, died on December 19, 2018. Per her instructions, there will be no visitation or funeral services. Interment is at Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks.

LaVerne Elizabeth Lee was born in Grand Forks, ND, on October 19, 1938, the only child of Hilda and Ralph Lee. She graduated from Central High School and then received a Bachelor Degree in nursing from the University of North Dakota. LaVerne also attended the University of Minnesota and University of Nevada, and received a Master Degree in Public Health Nursing Administration from Montana State University.

LaVerne worked as a public health nurse in Polk County, Minnesota and as a school nurse in Las Vegas, Nevada and East Grand Forks, Minnesota. She then moved to Bismarck where she served as a public health nurse in various Bismarck Public Health programs before she began a lengthy career with the North Dakota Department of Health in 1971. She started her state service as a public health nurse consultant and then became director of Public Health Nursing and Local Health Services Division in 1976. In 1994, she was appointed director of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program for the Health Department. LaVerne retired in August 1997.

Upon retirement, LaVerne pursued many interests and became very active in community affairs. She took many years of painting classes from Rosemary Landsberger and this activity led to involvement with the Mandan Art Association. LaVerne served in various capacities as a committee chairperson and association president and was instrumental in the work required to produce the annual art show exhibition. Her paintings earned several show awards.

LaVerne’s volunteer activities benefited persons in the local community and worldwide. She volunteered for many years with the Mandan Hospital Auxiliary. The hospital auxiliary work was especially gratifying to LaVerne because much of the organization’s activities resulted in patient care enhancement at the care center. At First Lutheran Church in Mandan, LaVerne was active with the quilting group.

LaVerne loved to cruise and was able to take part in many trips to the Caribbean, Hawaii, and the tropics. She was a gifted seamstress and would hand-make a new wardrobe, including lovely evening gowns, for these trips.

She also enjoyed entertaining and did it with remarkable table settings and decorations. She hosted numerous parties for friends’ birthdays, retirements, showers, and other milestone events. She was an accomplished baker and would often serve exquisite pies, desserts or cakes decorated to look like wrapped gifts!

As an adult, LaVerne enjoyed the company of a number of wonderful dogs who were well cared for, loved, and pampered. The dog loves of her life included Suki, Mitzi, Muffi and Ellie.

LaVerne was a good friend to many people and could be counted upon for moral support in times of need. While she was preceded in death by her entire family, left to mourn her passing are two second cousins in Minnesota, many friends, neighbors and acquaintances who will miss her company, good nature, sense of humor and her ability to look for the silver lining in cloudy times.

It was her request that memorials be directed to the Central Dakota Humane Society, 2104 37^th St, Mandan, ND 58554.