- Date Of Birth: January 11, 1920
- Date Of Death: November 21, 2015
- State: Minnesota
Vera Ellen Thran, age 95, of Hibbing and formerly of Big Falls and Mizpah, died Saturday, November 21, 2015, in her home with her daughter at her side. She was born January 11, 1920 in London, England, the daughter of Thomas and Florence (Cook) Mepham. She graduated from High School in Coburg, Australia. Vera was united in marriage to Hermann John Thran on April 6, 1945 in Melbourne, Australia. She arrived in San Francisco aboard the War Bride Ship the Marine Falcon in 1947. Vera and Herman made their home first in Mizpah, MN and then in Big Falls where they lived for 50 years. Following a fire that took their home in 2005 they rented from good friends Dick and Shirley Boes, and then moved to Hibbing to live with their daughter, Helen in 2007. Vera Worked as a bookkeeper for loggers and then worked as a clerk in the Red Owl grocery store in Big Falls for more than 20 years. Later she worked as a bank clerk in Littlefork. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Big Falls. Vera was an avid reader and until recently was reading three newspapers a day and enjoyed “cozy” murder mysteries. She also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and was a talented and creative knitter. Vera is survived by her daughter: Helen Thran of Hibbing; her sister: Pamela Gray of Melbourne, Australia; and two nieces: Melinda Bennett and Jennifer McLinskey, both of Melbourne. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Hermann in 2010; her sister: Ivy Mepham; and her brother: Tom Mepham. Helen would like to extend her great appreciation for the staff of Essentia Health-East Range Hospice and to her neighbor Pam Rundell for her loving care and assistance during Vera’s last weeks.
