Vera Rose Young, 99, (formerly of Grand Forks) died on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at her home in Eagan, MN.
Vera Rose Gunst was born to August and Rose (nee Zimbelman) Gunst on December 10, 1919 in Medina, North Dakota. Baptized into the Christian faith on October 31, 1920, she confirmed her baptismal vows on July 5, 1936 at the Evangelical Church in Streeter, ND. Vera was the eldest of two daughters born to Germans from Russia immigrants, and attended country school in Medina, where she learned to speak English. She graduated from Medina High School in 1938. On September 26, 2019 at age 99, Vera received the gift of eternal life through faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She died at her home in Eagan, MN, under the care of Fairview Hospice, surrounded by her loving family.
Vera’s childhood was spent helping work the Medina family farm. The obligations of rural life during the Great Depression helped shape her strong work ethic and fuel her determination to lead a productive life. Following graduation she came to Grand Forks and attended Union Commercial College, helping her secure her first job— stenographer at Eddy’s Bakery. She later was bookkeeper for several Grand Forks businesses.
Vera met her future husband and the love of her life “singing in the church choir”. On November 19, 1944, she then married Benjamin F. (Frank) Young in Grand Forks, where they made their home. She was thrilled to become a mother, welcoming their only child, Susan, nine years later. As a couple, Vera and Frank partook in numerous adventures; in the early years it was summers at Maple Lake near Mentor, MN enjoying one of the two cabins they built there. Then interests shifted to the East Grand Forks hobby farm to which they moved in 1965, which also provided space to expand their many hobbies. Antique collecting became their passion.
Vera’s faith was her life compass, proven by the well-worn pages of her Bible. That faith fostered a natural desire to be active in church life, starting at the Evangelical United Brethren Church on Belmont Road. She was a member of several congregations through the years and enjoyed serving on committees, church council, and participating eagerly in women’s activities. At times she served as delegate to state or national functions.
Seeing beyond her own back yard, Vera’s enthusiasms included volunteering with the Germans from Russia Heritage Society, and being an active member in the North Dakota FCE (formerly “Homemaker’s”) where she held several offices throughout the decades. Later, she planned and escorted bus tours to a variety of popular destinations. Vera’s bags were seemingly always packed and ready to go. She traveled the world! Australia, NZ, China, Europe, the UK, many cruises, Canada, nearly all 50 states, but Vera’s most meaningful trip was to tour the Holy Land, and be able to walk where Jesus walked.
When she wasn’t “on the road”, Vera was a mental traveler and avid reader, having read thousands of books. As a gifted homemaker and mother she enjoyed gardening, canning, quilting, crafting, sewing, baking, and learning new things. But once she acquired a floor loom, her interests grew to love weaving and crocheting rugs, and proudly selling her creations at many craft shows in the greater Grand Forks and Twin Cities areas. Vera passionately loomed for over 50 years, designing hundreds of unique, beautiful woven rugs. She also wove many special friendships along the way, and always counted her friends as treasures.
Vera responded to life’s trials with an unwavering faith and grace. In recent years, she optimistically confronted several heath obstacles, and persevered to pursue her activities, adding, “Only by the grace of God.” She took pleasure in a shared living arrangement with her daughter’s family for 25 years, which provided a cherished togetherness. She deeply loved her family, and was always a source of tenderness and affirmation. Vera will be missed by all who had the distinct pleasure of having her as a part of their lives. Our household will profoundly miss interacting with our fun, loving, cheerful and enthusiastic mom and grandma— our shining beacon.
Vera was grateful to God for— and content with— her life! Vera was a child of God.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Frank (1992), and sister Norma Hanson.
Survivors include her daughter Susan (Kim) Filter of Eagan; four grandchildren: Justin (Lisa) Smith, Forest Lake MN; Elizabeth (Jorge) Arrizon, Shafer MN; Victoria Filter, and Vanessa Filter, Eagan MN; Great-grandchildren Dylan and Jasmine Tashjian, her devoted son-in-law Kim Filter, as well as many cherished and loved nieces and nephews.
**Memorials contributions are preferred to University Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at University Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, with visitation the hour prior to the service in the church.
Inurnment: Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.
Shooting over the Horizon 