Laverne Madison Doherty Seilstad, 88, of Havre died of natural causes Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, at the Eastern Star nursing home in Decorah, Iowa.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in Lewistown and at Sage Creek, a family location between Lewistown and Denton, at a later date. She was born June 12, 1919, to William and Marie (Johnson) Madison in Great Falls, where she graduated from Great Falls High and later Kinman Business College in Spokane, Wash. Laverne married G. Vincent Doherty in June 1949 in Great Falls. To this union three daughters were born. Vince died of a heart attack in November 1966. Laverne married E. B. (Vanny) Seilstad of Denton in August 1970. They celebrated 26 years of marriage, when Vanny died of a heart attack. Laverne worked for various Havre businesses as a secretary and later as a library assistant for Havre Public Schools. She was active in the community concert association, Son’s of Norway, Good Sam’s Club, served as an election judge, and was the head of the Hill County Fair Arts & Crafts department for many years. Laverne was a member of First Lutheran Church, where she and Vanny enjoyed making lefse for the yearly lutefisk dinner. She was also an associate member of Zion Lutheran Church in Lewistown. Her hobbies included playing the piano, traveling, knitting and crocheting. Laverne was well known for her Norwegian joke telling and entertained at multiple functions while in her Norwegian costume. Laverne also enjoyed playing cards and played with the same group for 50 plus years. Laverne loved spending time with her seven grandchildren, especially attending their sporting events. Laverne is survived by her daughters, Vine (George) Thompson of Havre, Cheri (Don) Nelson of Decorah, Iowa, and Robyn (Dwayne) Bakkedahl of Lewistown; brother, Billy (Betty) Madison, and sister, Marylin (Duke) Tedford, both of Great Falls; plus numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials in Laverne’s name are suggested to First Lutheran Church in Havre, the Havre Sletten Cancer Center or to Winneshiek Hospice in Decorah, Iowa, or a charity of your choice.
