Lea Ann Vergal

Lea Ann Marlys Vergal, 48, Breckenridge, MN, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Church in Breckenridge, followed by the memorial service at 11:00 AM. Pastor Ross Fritz will be officiating.

Lea Ann Marlys Krause was born on February 14, 1970, in Breckenridge, MN, to David and Maryls (Johanson) Krause. She grew up and attended school in Breckenridge. After her formal schooling, she worked as an assistant manager for Subway in Wahpeton for several years.

She and her soon-to-be husband, Mark Vergal, traveled to Salt Lake City, UT; it was important that her dear sister, Carla Evenson, could be a part of their wedding. With her family present, Lea Ann and Mark were united in marriage by the Justice of the Peace on August 5, 1993. After their vacation wedding, the couple made their home on a farm in rural Breckenridge. Lea Ann was a woman of strong character; she had a heart for helping others. Her compassion and willingness to serve filtered through every area of her life and was especially evident during her time working for Wilkin County Developmental Achievement Center in Wahpeton. She continued to work there until she and Mark were blessed with three children, Nicole, Jacob, and Hope. Her children became her chosen vocation; they defined her. Lea Ann’s family was her anchor and she was their rock. Besides taking care of her family, she believed in giving back to her community.  She volunteered her services at a number of places throughout the community, but the majority of her time was spent volunteering at the Breckenridge Elementary School with her children.

Lea Ann was a lifelong gardener, who relished time in the outdoors. She loved the fresh air and anxiously looked forward to working in her garden, especially tending to her flowers. When she wasn’t in her garden, she was passionate about drawing and artwork. She was incredibly talented and used her creativity to stitch together elaborate and beautiful quilts, priding herself in never needing the assistance of a pattern. Although her life had circumstances and trials that she had to overcome every day, she proved to everyone that she was a fighter. Even in sickness, she was an avid traveler. She enjoyed her time spent at the lake surrounded by her family; she loved her family immensely and welcomed the time spent with them.  Lea Ann will always be remembered for her contagious laugh, beaming smile, and her willingness to listen. She was a mother, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend. Lea Ann left behind a legacy of servitude, compassion, and a quiet love that will be missed greatly by her friends and family.

Lea Ann is survived by her children, Nicole, Jacob, and Hope Vergal of Breckenridge; her mother, Marlys (Johanson) Krause of Wahpeton; and four siblings, Dennis (Sarah) Krause of Breckenridge, Carla (Wes) Evenson of Breckenridge, Dean Krause of Wahpeton, and Amber Carlton of Fargo; and her nieces and nephews, Jordan Evenson, Dylan Evenson, Lilly Krause and Lana Krause.

Lea Ann is preceded in death by her father, David Krause; her paternal grandparents, Elmer and Francis Krause; her maternal grandparents, Leonard and Velma Johanson; and her niece, Crystal Krause.