Verna Kary

Today, March 25, 2024, our precious mother, Verna Kary, made her way to her heavenly home with her children by her side, knowing she was loved. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 1, 2024, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Bismarck with Msgr. Patrick Schumacher presiding. Burial will follow at Mandan Union Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 8:30 AM on Monday, April 1 at Corpus Christi Church with a Moose Ritual followed by a Rosary offered by members of the former Catholic Daughters beginning at 8:45 AM.

Verna (Veronica) was born on February 16, 1922, at her parents’ home in Fallon, ND to Christ and Rose (Franck) Schmidt. She attended eight years of school at St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic School in Fallon. Verna met the love of her life, John Kary at a dance in Fallon and were later married on July 20, 1942, at St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic in Fallon.

Verna attended beauty school in Bismarck and then worked for a short period as a beauty operator. The balance of her career was spent working as a sale’s person at Buttrey’s, Shoe Mart and Richmond Bootery in Bismarck. She retired in 1991 and then volunteered for several organizations, including working in the gift shop at a local nursing home, counting money at St. Joseph Catholic Church, recording information for the local Moose Club, and calling people to help at local funerals.

Verna loved anything “outdoors” such as her farm life, her cabin at Pick City, planting flowers and growing garden produce. Horses were her favorite animal. She was a life-long member of St. Joseph Catholic church, a charter member of the Mandan Women of the Moose, a member of the Catholic Daughters and of several St. Joseph circles. Her daily devotions always included prayer for her family. Verna belonged to several card clubs and was very grateful to all those who drove her to events when she could no longer driver herself.

Verna was preceded in death by her husband, John Kary, her parents Christ and Rose Schmidt and sisters; Margaret (Reuben) Haas, Frances (John) (Joseph Kary) Geiger and Betty (Paul) Dulski as well as sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; Tony (Pauline) Kary, Al (Ann) Kary, Rose (Leo) Dinius, Ralph (Rose) Kary, Harry (Rose) Kary, George (Frances) Kary, Jack (Luella) Kary, Monica (Tony) Boehm and Matt Kary.

Surviving this precious lady are her four children: Valerian Kary (Keith Gustafson), Bismarck, ND, Jane (Don) Nelson, River Falls, WI, Dennis Kary, Mandan, ND and Allan (Carmen) Kary, Bismarck, ND, seven grandchildren: Jody Nelson, Tracy (Joel) Fussy, Heather (Kyle) Jarvis, Angela (Trent) Anderson, Josh (Cindy) Kary, Jesse Mittleider and Cody (Elaine) Mittleider, 17 great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Lillian Kary.

She did it her way.

The family would like to extend our appreciation to Edgewood Mandan and to Caring Edge Hospice for their excellent care and concern for mom in her final days.