Vernie M. Ford

Vernie M. Ford, age 95, of Yankton, South Dakota, died of congestive heart failure on Monday, February 16, 2009 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton.

Funeral services are 10:30 AM, on Monday, February 23, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Yankton with Reverend Dean Trapp officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. Visitation is one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton.

Verna May "Vernie" Ford was born October 5, 1913 in Aurora County, South Dakota to Harry Everett and Jennie Almira (Padget) Monteith and was raised in Jerauld County, South Dakota. After high school, she attended teacher's training in Wessington Springs, South Dakota and taught until she was married. On September 21, 1939, she married Harvey Joseph Ford in Mitchell, South Dakota. They lived in Woonsocket, Chamberlain and Phillip, until moving to Yankton in 1956. Vernie was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was involved in PTA and was a Sunday school teacher and secretary. She was also active in United Methodist Women and a member of First United Methodist Church of Yankton. Vernie loved to sew, crochet and knit, but her special love were her violets, other indoor plants and her garden. She was the quintessential letter writer.

She is survived by a daughter, Carol (Dennis) Preslicka of Iowa City, Iowa; a son, James (Donna) Ford of San Dimas, California; a daughter-in-law, Gretchen Ford of Custer, South Dakota; six grandchildren: James (Amy) Preslicka of Iowa City, Iowa, Bradley (Christine) Ford of Maplewood, Missouri, Hannah Ford (Kaleb Asplund) of Austin, Texas, Ryan Ford of Valencia, California, Joseph Ford of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Andrew Ford of Custer, South Dakota. She is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren: Michael, Donna and Andrew Preslicka and Sylvan Asplund; a sister, Floy Hull of East Moline, Illinois; and nieces and nephews.

Vernie was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Ford; son, Melvin Ford; daughter, Karen Ford at birth; her parents; and two sisters, Reva Monteith Greeno and Viola Montieth at birth.

Memorial may be made to First United Methodist Church in Yankton.

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