Leroy Nolan Verwest, age 79, resident of rural Finley, ( Pickert , ND ) passed away Thursday, June 30, 2011 at his home.

Nolan was born March 24, 1932 at the Northwood Deaconess Hospital, the first child of Hadley and Margit (Raaen) Verwest. He grew up and attended school in Pickert and Finley , ND. He farmed with his father on the homestead farm and on June 22, 1958 he married Donna Jean Hultstrand at the Federated Church in Park River, ND . After their marriage they continued to live and farm in rural Finley. Through the years Nolan and Danna Jean enjoyed numerous trips. Nolan worked many winters building pole barns and houses in the community. In 1996 Nolan and his family purchased Finley Lumber & Supply. Nolan retired from farming in 1997 but remained active with Finley Lumber & Supply until his death.

Throughout his life Nolan was a goodwill ambassador to Finley and the surrounding area. He served on several boards including St. Petri Lutheran Church, Steele County Farm Bureau, Shelly Creamery, Easton Township , ND Square Dancing Association, Steele County Soil Conservation District, ND Township Officers Association, Lake Agassiz Regional Council, Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), Finley-Sharon School Board, Iso Straw Co-op, Finley Fire District #203, Steele County Historical Society, and Finley Housing Authority. Nolan also spent several legislative sessions in Bismarck lobbying for the ND Township Officers Association.

After retiring from the farm Nolan became known for his baked goods, especially coffee cake, pies, cookies and yummy bars. He always had time to visit with friends in the community and anytime spent with his family was cherished by Nolan.

Nolan will be deeply missed and remembered by his wife Donna Jean of rural Finley, ND; daughters Loree (Randal) Hoverson of rural Hannaford, ND and Lisa (Mark) Martens of rural Cooperstown, ND; 4 grandsons Curtis, Ryan & Kyle Hoverson and Brenden Martens; 2 brothers Robert (Judy) Verwest of rural Finley, ND and Dr. Hadley Verwest of St. Paul, MN; one niece, four nephews, & several cousins and friends.

Nolan was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services for Nolan will be Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 11:00AM in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Cooperstown, ND . Visitation will be Wednesday, July 6, 2011 from 3 PM to 7 PM with a family service at 7 PM in the Cooperstown Funeral Chapel.  Officiating will be Reverend Michael Jacobson.  Special music will be Kathy Soma-Gawronski.  Casketbearers will be Curtis Hoverson, Ryan Hoverson, Kyle Hoverson, Brenden Martens, Robert Verwest and Dr. Hadley Verwest.  Interment will be in the Sherbrooke Cemetery, rural Finley, ND.