Frances Vernell Yunker passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on February 5, 2020, her husband Curtis at her side. Cremation has taken place.  A family memorial service will take place at a later date.

Vernell was born April 23, 1931, to Melvin ("Mike") and Kate (Smith) Hagen in Washburn, the eldest of an eventual four children. Vernell graduated from Washburn High School in 1949. She attended one year at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, then one year at Minot State Teachers College, receiving a 2-year teaching certificate in 1951. Curtis and Vernell were married March 22, 1952. Following Curtis's discharge from the military in 1954, the young family lived in Wahpeton while Curtis attended diesel mechanics schooling under the GI Bill.  In 1958 the family moved to Fergus Falls, MN, where Curtis was employed at Otter Tail Power for 11 years.  When all the kids were in school, Vernell commuted daily from Fergus Falls to Moorhead State College to complete her 4-year degree in elementary education and special education in 1968. She then taught school in a rural one-room schoolhouse and later worked with special education students in Fergus Falls.

In 1969 the family moved to Center, ND, when Curtis began working at Minnkota Power. Vernell taught school in a one-room schoolhouse near New Salem and, after that school closed with school consolidation, substitute taught at Center High School. Curtis retired from Minnkota Power in 1988 and they spent 10 years raising cattle as a hobby at their rural Hensler home.  In 1997 Curtis and Vernell moved into Vernell's childhood home in Washburn, where they resided until the time of Vernell's passing.

Prior to the onset of failing health, Vernell was an avid reader, a love she passed on to her children and many of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed doing Sudoku puzzles and crocheting. "Gramma Nell" loved spending time with her family and never forgot a birthday or an anniversary.

Vernell is survived by her husband, Curtis,three sons; Randy, Center, Hal (Valda), rural Hensler, John, Bismarck; two daughters, Cindy Tracy, Kalispell, MT, and Cathy Bonsness, Washburn; her grandchildren, Lacy (Matt) Richter, Kelsy (Tim) Kallis, Haley (Brian) Waldo, Hollie Daly, Hillary Hatton, Spencer (Danyal) Tracy, Amber (Kael) Melby, Tim (Sarah) Yunker, Michael Yunker, Matthew Yunker, Kelly (Keith) Erhardt, Samantha (Micheal) Henke and Zachery Bonsness; her 16 great-grandchildren;  her brother, Jay (Sandy) Hagen, Rapid City, SD and her sister, Vickie Hagen, Mandan; her sisters-in-law, Vada (Reuben) Heid, Patsy Yunker, Karen Yunker, Joan Yunker and Phyllis Denison; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Vernell was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Dean Hagen; daughter-in-law Debbie Yunker; and grandson Dusty Yunker.

The family would like to thank CHI St. Alexius Bismarck Home Health/Hospice and Kellie Weisenburger and staff at the Washburn Clinic for their kind and gentle care of Vernell.