Vernika (Stedman) Azure

 Vernika Azure, 81 of Lisbon, North Dakota passed away on August 8, 2019 at her home.

Mom loved fiercely and spoke her mind with the same passion. She had a deep heart that carried the weight of tough childhood memories, hard decisions as a young adult, and lost love—to not speak of these struggles would be an injustice to understanding how strong she was and how hard she worked to build a life for herself and her family. She loved to discuss politics; she was an avid coffee drinker; enjoyed baking and sharing those goodies; she made delicious meals; loved to read; painted on dishtowels; and she loved Jesus. 

She worked hard to build a good home life for her 4 children. She raised them in a big house on a hill, that eventually earned its place in notoriety as “Azure’s Hill.  Mom truly understood the lost art of ‘running’ a house hold; she ran her home with extreme organization, consistency, and a comforting cleanliness. She loved to re-arrange the furniture, she had the softest towels, and her bathroom always smelled of fresh soap. These are comforting things to remember.  As we gather as a family, memories come flooding back to each of us and bring us all comfort. 
Mom wasn’t afraid of hard work and she wasn’t afraid to pick up her life to try something new.  She was adventurous and wasn't afraid to get in her car and just go.  Throughout her lifetime she was a teacher’s aide, she spent several years as an exec’s assistant, spent some time helping her brother with his realty company, waitressed for a few years, and eventually landed as a manager of a small motel for a few years before moving to Lisbon where she worked at Warehouse Grocery and then finally retired.

Mom was born February 20, 1938 to Warren and Alice Stedman who have since passed away.  Mom had 3 sisters; Vernita Stedman, Marcheta Arndt, and Marian Pfrang who have also passed away and 9 brothers; 5 of which have passed away RJ Stedman, D Stedman, Kelly Stedman, Jimmie Stedman, Jerry Stedman and 4 surviving brothers; Harry Stedman of California, K Stedman of California, Guy Stedman of Illinois, and Pearl Stedman of Kansas.  In 1955 Mom graduated from Centralia Rural High School.  In 1961 she married Morris Azure and later divorced in 1979.  Together they had 4 children; Julie (Travis Thompson) Pfeifer of Rolette, ND, Shawn (Holly) Azure of Merrillville, IN, Guy (Lisa) Azure of Grand Forks, ND and Cheri Deplazes of Lisbon, ND.  Mom had 12 grandchildren, Jessie Azure (Ryan Steinhaus), Jaden Pfeifer, Jalen Pfeifer, Aaron Thompson, Jordan Azure, Randy Jensen, Courtney Jensen, James Azure, Natasha Azure, Alexandra Lemieux, Sadi Deplazes, and Katie Deplazes.  Mom was also blessed with 5 great grandchildren; Zeddicus Heacherl, Julia Steinhaus, Kayden Henrickson, Lincoln Jensen, and Carter Thompson.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Lisbon Public Library (409 Forest St. Lisbon, ND 58054) as Vernika loved to read and was a frequent patron at the library.

Celebration of Life Service, Saturday, August 17, 2019, @ 7:00 pm at the Gazebo at the North Dakota Veterans Home 1400 Rose St, Lisbon, ND. Burial will be May 24, 2020 at Granada Cemetery, Granada, KS.

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