Verna Hulda Kivisto

Verna grew up in Markham and graduated from Aurora High School in 1945. Following high school, she attended business school in Duluth. On September 20, 1947 Verna married the love of her life, Wesley Kivisto.

Verna was a loving mother and a hard worker. She was employed by Benson’s Optical, Kirk Trees, North Shore Elementary, where she retired as the school secretary.

Verna’s greatest joy was her family, who meant the world to her. Summers were spent at their cabin on Island Lake, where there was always an open door policy that everyone was welcome and the sauna was always hot.

In 2004, Wesley passed away after 56 years of marriage. Verna is also preceded in death by her parents, John and Hulda Ostlund; and sisters, Ethel Niemi and Jane Koivisto.

Verna will be greatly missed by her daughter, Bonnie Kivisto of Duluth; three grandchildren, Mandy (Cliff) Juenemann of Two Harbors, Tyson Jackson of Duluth, and Katie (Nacho Gutierrez) Jackson of Cozumel, Mexico; five great-grandchildren, Jobe and Regan Juenemann, Makenna and Bryce Jackson, and Liam Gutierrez Jackson.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Ray Davis, Lenny Johnson, Mike Sertich, and Sally Miller for the years of kindness and help Verna received.

Visitation: 3:00 until the 4:00 p.m. memorial service Friday, August 5, 2016 at French River Lutheran Church, 5310 Ryan Road, Duluth. A celebration of life will continue at Clearwater Event Center immediately following the memorial service. Please no flowers.