Columbia: The funeral service for Vineta Milbrandt, 94, Columbia, will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Columbia, with Pastor Craig Grams officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.
Vineta died Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, at Mother Joseph Manor, Aberdeen.
Closed-casket visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 23 N. James St., Columbia.
Vineta Viola Jackson was born Aug. 19, 1918, to Roy F. and Henrietta "Retta" (Klepfer) Jackson on the family farm in Columbia. This is the area where she grew up and attended school. Following high school, Vineta attended two years at Northern Normal College in Aberdeen.
On May 6, 1939, Vineta was united in marriage to Ervin Harold Milbrandt in Aberdeen. One child, Keith, was added to this union. The family remained in Columbia, where Ervin and Vineta farmed. Ervin passed away on Aug. 4, 1968.
Vineta was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Columbia, where she played organ for services, including weddings, funerals and accompanying the choir. She taught Sunday school, confirmation and vacation Bible school for many years and served on the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, in which she held every office and enjoyed traveling around the state for their many conventions and workshops. In addition to her church volunteer work, Vineta also served as the church's secretary for a number of years. Vineta was also very active in community projects, such as the centennial committee, election board and fund raising over a 50 year period. She enjoyed the arts, from acting in community plays to attending the many Aberdeen Community Theater presentations.
Grateful for having shared Vineta's life are her son, Keith (Jean) Milbrandt, Pasadena, Calif.; granddaughter, Julie (Mike) Lillis, Columbia; stepgranddaughter, Stephanie Smith, Pasadena, Calif.; and stepgreat-grandson, Trevor Lillis.
Vineta was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin Milbrandt; her parents, Roy and Retta Jackson; and an infant sister.
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