Laverne C. Kreft, age 72, of Washburn, ND passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at a Bismarck hospital.

From their beginning to their end,
first comes the date of their birth
and the second date followed by tears.
What really matters the most to us, is the dash between Marilyne and Laverne's years.
The dash represents all the time Marilyne and Laverne spent on earth.
Marilyne Louise Kellar was born on June 7, 1936 in Rochester, Minnesota .
Laverne Clarence Kreft was born on June 22, 1934 in Wabek, North Dakota.
Both passed from this life on February 28, 2007.
All of us who loved them know what that little line is worth.
We know what matters most is how Marilyne and Laverne lived and loved
and how they spent their dash. Marilyne and Laverne lived every day to the fullest with love and laughter filling their hearts, homes, and the lives of so many people dear to them.
Here is the story of their dash:

Laverne was born on a small diversified farm, near Wabek, ND (near Plaza, ND) to
Martin and Louise Kreft. He graduated from the 8th grade in 1948. At this time he started farming with his brother and father. He started high school in 1949 and graduated from Makoti High School in 1953. He graduated from the North Dakota Agriculture College in Fargo in 1957. Laverne was a charter member of the Farm House Fraternity.

Marilyne was born in Rochester, MN, to Raymond and Evelyne Kellar. She graduated from high school in 1954 from Glenwood, Minnesota. Marilyne attended Moorhead Business College, where she met Laverne.

Marilyne and Laverne were married on December 22, 1956. Laverne was inducted into the U.S. Army in September 1957. His basic training was at Fort Carson, Colorado. He then attended Clerk Typist School at Fort Dix, New Jersey and was later permanently assigned to the Chemical Corps at Ft. McClellan near Anniston, Alabama. In 1958, Marilyne and Laverne had their first child, Pamela Jean. Upon completion of two years in the military, Laverne took a job as Assistant County Extention Agent for Ramsey County at Devils Lake, ND. In 1960, their second child, Brian Scott, was welcomed to their family. In October of 1961, Laverne was recalled to the military during the Berlin Crisis. In 1963, Laverne was hired as the McHenry County Extention Agent at Towner, ND
and held that position until 1973. In 1964, Marilyne and Laverne were blessed with their second son, Bruce Laverne. Marilyne was a devoted wife and mother. She worked part time at Bush's Department Store, but her life was full of taking care of her children and home. With a generous spirit, Marilyne donated her time and talents to church, school, family, and community.

Her cooking and baking will be remembered by all who knew her. Whatever venture Laverne entered, Marilyne was right there by his side.

In 1970, the family moved to Fargo, ND for one year so Laverne could earn his Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics from NDSU. Laverne's career continued, now in the banking business as Vice President of the Pioneer State Bank in Towner until June 1979. Laverne began his Farmers Home Administration (FHA) career in Jan. 1979 as Assistant County Supervisor. During their time in Towner, both Marilyne and Laverne were active in community, school activities, and organizations.

Their next home was McClusky, ND, where Laverne accepted a job as Sheridan County FHA Supervisor. They moved to Washburn in 1988, where Laverne was the McLean County Supervisor until his retirement on November 3, 1994. Laverne received a number of Extention Service and FHA awards. He served as a Director of McLean Electric Cooperative and as the State Director of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives.
Laverne and Marilyne have been active members of First Lutheran Church in Washburn.
They were winter Texans, spending several months in Port Aransas, TX at "The Dunes", where they established many lasting friendships.

Both Marilyne and Laverne have participated in a number of community services. Laverne was a 4-H Club Leader and a Boy Scout Leader. He was an early director and promoter of the Washburn 4-H Camp. He served over 20 years on the Volunteer Fire Department in Towner, McClusky and Washburn. Other activities include being charter members of the Riverside Lane Friend's Club and the Unga Bunga Tribe. Their retirement years have been filled with fun, travel, friends, family, and love. Every day lived was lived to the fullest.
Cheers to Marilyne and Laverne, Ziggy Zaggy, Ziggy Zaggy, Oye, Oye, Oye!

Marilyne and Laverne's special dash may have only lasted awhile,
and as we prepare their eulogy to be read, with their life's actions to rehash,
we are all so very proud to say, how wonderful Marilyne and Laverne spent their dash.

A funeral service to celebrate their lives will be held 10:30 AM Monday, March 5 at First Lutheran Church in Washburn, with the Rev. Erik Johnson, Officiating. Interment will be held at Riverview Cemetery, Washburn, ND, with military rites provided by the Victor B. Wallin Post #12 of Washburn.

Public visitation and receiving of friends will be held from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday at First Lutheran Church, Washburn.

Marilyne and Laverne's legacy will be lived on by their surviving family,
their daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Dave Aadnes of Bismarck, ND; sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Jackie Kreft of Streeter, ND, and Bruce Kreft and Teresa Olin of Bismarck, ND;
grandchildren, Sam and Becky Aadnes, Melissa and Brandon Klein, Cody Kreft, Tucker Kreft, Sierra Kreft, Seth Kreft, and Alyssa Olin; great grandchildren, Taylor, Jakob, and Julia Aadnes; Laverne's sister, Florence Jarrett, sister-in-law, Bette Brandt. Marilyne's sister, Becky Higghum, sister-in-law, Jolene Munholand, special relative, Etta Brunner. and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends that were special to them.
(With thanks to Linda Ellis for excerpts from "The Dash")