Veronica Ellen Jones

Joy came into the world July 11th, 1993, when Veronica Ellen Jones was born to Thomas Jones and Peggy Wallgren Jones in Duluth, Minnesota. Although she was born with a congenital cytomegalovirus infection that would impact her development for the rest of her life, her superpower was pulling people into her orbit and changing their lives. On June 3, 2026, Veronica passed away at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, MN, after a brief illness related to her disability. She died peacefully without fear. The loving people there with her witnessed her seamlessly pass from their arms right into the arms of Jesus. 

Veronica moved with her family to Aitkin from International Falls in 1998. She attended Aitkin Public Schools, graduating in 2012. Through the years, she attended Westside Church in Aitkin, Journey North in Brainerd and New Life Church in Aitkin. She was part of the Life Enrichment Program at the Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) in Aitkin.

Her family is forever grateful that she grew up in Aitkin and for how the community embraced her. “V was our daughter, but the rest of the world wanted to share in her.” So many people were a part of Veronica’s world. The care she received throughout her life at Riverwood was phenomenal. The staff at Aitkin schools endlessly advocated for her needs and wrapped her in care and compassion. Veronica loved going to the DAC, including the bus ride that she got to take at the beginning and end of her day. The family is grateful to the entire community for their loving support throughout Veronica’s life.

At 25, Veronica moved to the home of Angela Halverson where she found a second family. Tom and Peggy cannot overstate how important Angela was in Veronica’s life, going far above and beyond the adult foster-care relationship. For the better part of a decade, Angela cared for Veronica when Veronica wasn’t at home for visits, loving her, making her a part of her family and being her best friend. Her selfless care and love blessed not only Veronica, but also Tom and Peggy. There are not words enough to express their gratitude for Angela.

Veronica was always ready to go and was game for nearly anything when she was healthy and feeling strong. She was fearless because she didn’t know not to be, and her family made sure she was part of many things she liked (and some things she didn’t!). She loved riding in her sled behind cross-country skiers and snowshoers, bumping up and down stairs in her wheelchair, walks in her stroller, swimming, adaptive biking, camping and fireworks. Scrambling up rocky, snowy trails in her infant sled and mountain biking with a non-mountain bike were probably mistakes and not adventures to be repeated! Her family recalls there were some things they thought Veronica would love, but to their surprise, Veronica never really enjoyed going fishing on the pontoon boat, adaptive downhill skiing and Disneyland. Nonetheless, her family and friends made sure her life was full of rich adventures and experiences with people who loved her.

Veronica radiated joy. She loved chocolate, beads, bumpy rides, spinning in her chair and most especially pom-poms. She slept every night for over two decades with her favorite cheerleader doll, sometimes waking the family at night by “talking” to it. Her joy was contagious. She brought smiles ­­-- and sometimes startled reactions -- by laughing at inappropriate times at movies and in church. She was spontaneous with her deep belly laughs, sometimes while breathing in at the same time. She was widely known. When out with her family, people frequently came up to say hi and share how they knew Veronica. Though she had significant cognitive delays, Veronica was present in the moment with the brightness in her eyes and joyful responses to what she loved.

Veronica inspired her parents along with the family of Zach Johnson to begin North of Ordinary Custom Services in Aitkin, a small business whose mission is to provide job opportunities for people with developmental disabilities like Veronica and Zach. It employs 3 to 5 individuals at a time, providing opportunities to do meaningful work. Find more about it at www.north-ordinary.com

Veronica’s younger brother Matt lived the life of the “second child” and often joked with his parents that Veronica was the favorite. But he was the brother that every sister would want, and he wore his “normal” cloak with humor, love and grace. Matt recalls playing youth T-ball with his sister when they were young elementary students. He was usually the motor when it was time for her to “run” the bases in her wheelchair. During one memorable game, Matt determinedly attempted to steal home after an errant throw. As they rounded third at full speed, Veronica’s chair toppled over with Matt sprawling after her. As a unit, all the watching parents stood, aghast at what the wreckage might reveal. Unharmed, Veronica erupted with joy as she lay on the ground, still strapped into her chair. Her laughter could be heard throughout the field. Put the chair upright, dust off her cheek, give Matt a hug of reassurance, play ball. Life with Veronica was never boring.

Veronica is survived by her parents Tom and Peggy; her brother Matt of Vassalboro, Maine; beloved second-mother Angela Halvorsen; second-family members Nathaniel Manos (Mea Hayes), Natalie Halvorsen, Nevin Maher, Nalayna Maher, Luke Levendowski, and Marianne Washburn; and many grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and caregivers. Her Celebration of Life will be on June 11th, 2026, at the Aitkin County Fairgrounds from 4:00 to 7:00 in an open-house format with a short ceremony at 6:00. The community is encouraged to come share memories with family and friends and celebrate Veronica and her amazing life.

Contributions made to the DAC in Veronica’s honor will support the DAC’s new building and programming activities. You can become a member of Team Veronica at givebutter.com/TOGETHERWEGROW/team-veronica-1. Please give if you feel led. Your gifts will enrich the lives of Veronica’s friends and the people who are coming after her.

“Among the most joyful people I have known have been some who seem to have had no human reason for joy. The sweet fragrance of Christ has shown through their lives.”

~quote by Elisabeth Elliot

To sign the guestbook online, please visit: www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Aitkin.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Veronica Ellen Jones, please visit our floral store.