Devera L. Warcup

After a full life of 88 years, Devera Lou (Borchert) Warcup, died on September 24, 2025, surrounded by her five children. Devera was born in Thief River Falls, MN to Louis and Ethel Borchert. She grew up in Thief River Falls with her brothers Clint and Dale Borchert and sister, Mary Ann (Borchert) Larson. She married the late Alan Bruce Warcup on June 21, 1959. Together they had five children Alison (Randy) Blackowiak, Pam (Steve) Marback, Brian (Liane) Warcup, John (Stacy) Warcup and Sue (Brendan Duffy) Warcup all of whom survive her, as well as 10 grandchildren: Carly Blackowiak, Dani (Brady) Field, Chris (Taylor) Blackowiak, Jennifer (Richard) Barnes, Alyssa Warcup, Kara Warcup, Andrew Warcup, Peter Warcup, Sydney Warcup and Kirsten Warcup, along with five great grandchildren: Blaine Barnes, Bristol Barnes, Archer Field, Elliotte Field and Atticus Blackowiak all of whom survive her. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Ann Larson, sister-in-law Janna Warcup and her dog Nelson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alan, brothers Clint and Dale Borchert, sister-in-law Carol Borchert, brother-in-law Dennis Warcup, brother-in-law Ron Warcup and his wife, Shirley, and sister-in-law Patricia Warcup and her partner, Dietta Watson.

With a start singing in church at age 4 or 5, Devera grew to become an excellent musician. She earned a master’s degree in piano performance from UND. She insisted that all her children learn to play the piano, which we all did, although none of us ever came close to her talent. As she would describe it, she was an organist for her whole life with a few vacations here and there. She served as an organist for the First Methodist Church in Thief River Falls, the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Forks in the 70s and 80s, organist for the United Church of Christ as recently as 2012 and thereafter back to First Presbyterian Church in Grand Forks as choir director and organist. She was involved with the Grand Forks chapter of the Thursday Music Club and received the Gold Note Award in 2012 recognizing her substantial and lifelong commitment to support music and music appreciation in Grand Forks. Devera was an ardent supporter of local arts which included not only the North Dakota Museum of Art but also direct support of local visual artists, the Grand Forks Symphony, Chiara String Quartet and Summer Performing Arts (SPA).

Devera might be best described as a force of nature. Her small stature was overshadowed by her great determination. She survived her husband, Alan, by 25 years and during that time made sure her family behaved, had all they needed, as well as making sure they supported her as she needed. In earlier years, she shuttled the kids to tennis tournaments around the area; later, she attended many track meets, horse shows, band concerts, choir concerts, musicals, dance competitions and plays to see her children and grandchildren perform. She enjoyed membership in many organizations, including PEO Chapter T, Entre Nous, Thursday Music Club and was always available to play a round of bridge. She played so much bridge that one of her grandchildren actually thought it was her job. In her later years, she enjoyed her travels to visit her out-of-town children and grandchildren and also enjoyed many weekends at the lake, 4th of July celebrations at the Blackowiak Compound, and family lake week. She was our rock and she described us as her pebbles. Her influence will continue to ripple throughout our lives.

Arrangements are being handled by Amundson Funeral Home. Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Forks (5555 South Washington Street) on Monday, October 6, 2025. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm with the funeral service starting at 2:00 pm. Memorials are suggested to the Thursday Music Club Devera Warcup Memorial Fund, PEO Chapter T or the charity of your preference. In the best of Devera’s traditions, a cheap boxed wine and yesterday’s coffee will be served at the reception at the church following the service. There will also be cheese. Lots of cheese.