Deverne Briss

Deverne Briss, age 67, from rural Erskine, MN passed away on Thursday, December 23 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, December 28th at 2:00 PM at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine with Rev. Timothy Lundeen officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour before the memorial service at the church, and interment of cremains will be at Lakeside Cemetery, Milnor, ND at a later date. The Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Erskine is in charge of the arrangements. Sympathy messages may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com.Deverne Donald Briss was born January 23, 1943 in Kensal, ND to William and Adeline (Short) Briss. He was baptized in Kensal on May 16, 1948. He attended country elementary schools and Kensal Elementary School. He grew up on the family farm until age 13 when his father died and they moved to Kensal for a year. His mother remarried Alfred Jorgenson, and they moved to Alfred's farm by Kensal.While attending high school in Kensal, Deverne did farm work for Kenny Spitzer. After high School he worked on Percy Beckley's ranch for two years. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in April 1964 and served 18 months in France. While in the army he earned his G.E.D. He was honorably discharged in March 1966. After the army he worked at various jobs: ranching, retail salesman, and beer distributor. He moved to Valley City, ND and worked in the Gambles Store in 1968.Deverne married Linda M. Schutt on August 9, 1968 in Milnor, ND. They made their home in Valley City. While living there, Deverne worked at Gambles, Empire Home Furniture, and for Interstate Bakery. In 1969, they moved to Wahpeton, ND where he attended the State School of Science. He graduated with honors in May 1971 with an Associate Degree in Electronic Technology. He worked for Don's Radio and T.V. in Breckenridge from 1971 to October 1972. They moved to Fertile, MN on November 1, 1972 where they owned and operated Briss T.V. Sales and Service for 13 years (Nov. 1972-Dec. 1985). Deverne leased Whitey's Off Sale in Breckenridge from January through September 1986. He then worked for Schipper Construction, Florian & Sons Excavating (7 years), and Holland/M-Bar-D (9 years) until he retired in December 2007. They had moved to Erskine, MN in September 2001 and built a home on Lake Sarah.Deverne was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine where he served as an usher. When he lived in Fertile he was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church and was active in the Fertile Community Club. He was president of the Community Club in 1976.Deverne's favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, watching T.V., playing cards, and using the computer.On Thursday, December 23, 2010 Deverne Briss passed away at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND at the age of 67 years.He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda of Erskine; a son, Darren (Janie) Briss of Devils Lake, ND; a daughter, Melinda (Albert) Spille of Terry, MS; two granddaughters, Emelia Burke and Trinity Spille; one grandson, Albert Spille III; two brothers, Gary Briss of Binford, ND and Dwight (Debra) Briss of Lino Lakes, MN; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; brothers, Duane, Eugene and William III; and sisters, Janelle, Beverly, Adeline and Marlys.