LuVern Melva Solum (93) died peacefully August 7, 2017 at Sanford Healthcare in Fargo, North Dakota. A Funeral service will be held in her honor on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Renew Community Church in Larimore, North Dakota. Visitation will be on Sunday, August 13 from 5-6 p.m. with a 6 p.m. prayer service in the Bakke Funeral Home of Larimore. Visitation will also be for one hour prior to the funeral in the church on Monday. Interment will be in Bellevue Cemetery, Larimore.
LuVern was born to Harry and Merle Smith on January 7, 1924, southwest of Larimore, North Dakota. She was the fifth child of thirteen. The story goes that one of her sisters could not pronounce her name and called her “Bunny” instead. The name was eventually shortened and she was known as “Bun” to everyone from then on.
Bun grew up in Larimore. She married Roy Solum of Grand Forks, North Dakota on March 7, 1946. After a short stay in Grand Forks, they made their home in Larimore. They had two children: a daughter, Judy and a son, James.
After Roy passed away in 1981, Bun moved to Grand Forks for several years. While living in Grand Forks, she worked for the Foster Grandparent program. Bun later moved to Fargo, North Dakota where she lived with her sister, Marian Aaker. They both enjoyed working as “demo” ladies at CashWise Foods.
Happy and fun-loving, Bun was always known for her gracious hospitality, famous donuts and delicious cookies. Those who visited never left her home hungry. She loved to entertain with an old hymn or two on the piano or organ (she played both by ear), and was even known to play the accordion. She cared for her family passionately, never met a stranger, and loved to tease everyone with a bright twinkle in her eyes. Bun’s kind and loving spirit will be greatly missed.
LuVern “Bun” Solum is preceded in death by her husband, Roy; daughter, Judy Larson; her parents; sisters Lois, Mildred, JoAnne and Eleray; and brothers Wayne and Lyndell. She is survived by her son, Jim (Sharon) Solum of Moorhead, Minnesota; son-in-law, LeRoy Larson; granddaughter, Lori (Chad) Huebner of Mountain Home, Arkansas; grandsons, Benjamin (Tiffany) Solum (Shawnee, Kansas) and Timothy Solum (Moorhead, Minnesota); great-grandsons, Alex and Max Huebner; and great-granddaughter, Tori Solum; brother, Clayton (Judy) Smith and sisters, Marian Aaker, Marjorie Davidson, Janice Jones, Mavis (Mike) Wold, and Maxine Barry.