Alice Verke

Alice Verke, 77, of Hatton, ND, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Hatton Prairie Village in Hatton. A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Hatton. A visitation will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. prayer service at the Hatton Prairie Village Chapel in Hatton.

Alice Lerfald was born June 14th, 1949, in Northwood, ND, the daughter of Joseph and LuElla (Troitte) Lerfald. She grew up on a farm in rural Buxton. She attended Morgan #4 Country School from 1st– 8th grade and then went to Mayville Public School where she graduated from Mayville High School in the spring of 1967. Alice was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in rural Hatton, where her faith became an important foundation throughout her life.

Following high school, Alice attended Mayville State University for one year. During the first quarter of her second year, an opportunity arose for her to work full time as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Luther Memorial Home. Though the work was demanding, caring for others quickly became a calling she genuinely enjoyed.

On July 18, 1969, Alice married Arleigh “Bud” Verke at Bethany Lutheran Church. Together they welcomed two children, Peter in 1970 and Leah in 1972. Shortly after their marriage, the family made their home in Hatton, where Alice continued her work as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Tri-Country Nursing Home.

In 1985, Alice began working at Wicks Agriculture in Hatton. It was there that she met the love of her life, John Vaagene. Together they built their life on the Vaagene family farm outside Hatton before moving into town in 2007.Alice continued serving the residents of the Tri-County Nursing home in a variety of roles, including CNA, laundry, housekeeping and what she was fondly referred to as “ward security.” After dedicating 53 years to caring for others, Alice retired in 2023.

Alice was rarely found idle and found great joy in being surrounded by family and friends. She loved quilting and created countless quilts for those she loved. She also enjoyed reading, listening to books on tape, traveling and gathering with friends for coffee. Alice was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and American Legion Post 70, where she cherished the fellowship, friendships and sense of community that were so important to her. Above all, Alice LOVED being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She attended all the great grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities and never passed up an opportunity to babysit.

Alice loved to laugh. She embraced life with a joyful spirit and lived it to the fullest. Her warmth, humor, and unwavering love for her family and friends will be remembered by all who knew her.

Alice is survived by her children, Peter (Jennifer) Verke of Hatton, ND and Leah Verke of Grand Forks, ND; John Vaagene's children, Brad (Sara) Vaagene of Hatton, ND, Denise Vaagene of Portland, ND, and Ronda (Rich) Menze of Oxbow, ND.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Karissa Jerome (Spencer Huus); Zahra (Jason) Hanson; Travis Vigen; Emily Vaagene; Lucas Vaagene; Logan Vaagene; Sasha (Dennis) Loock; and Paige Menze.

Her great-grandchildren include Keegan, Blakely, and Barrett Hanson; Harper, Madelynn, Elliott Huus; and Tyler and Will Loock.

She is further survived by her sister, Loretta Larson of Mayville, ND; brother-in-law Gary (Deb) Vaagene of Hatton, ND; and sister-in-law Rita (Bob) Bristlin of Detroit Lake

Alice was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved companion, John Vaagene; brother-in-law Gary Larson; sister-in-law Janice Amundson; brothers-in-law, Larry Vaagene, Gene Vaagene, Paul Vaagene and her great-granddaughter, Kelee Vigen.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Hatton Prairie Village and Hospice for the exceptional care and compassion they provided to Alice. They would also like to thank her apartment family for their friendship, support, and companionship over the years.