LaVerne Leep was born June, 22, 1925 in rural Frederic, WI to Alfred and Edith (Ferdig) Gustafson.  The family lived and farmed there until 1942.  LaVerne attended Frederic school, graduating in May, 1943.  She then joined the family at Portland, Oregon working in the shipyards for the defense-war effort. 

She met and married Pat Jarvis, they had three children:  Diane, Carol and Michael.  LaVerne and children moved back to the Frederic area in 1947.  She and the children lived with Alfred and helped with the farming.  During this time she also was a 4-H leader for ten years and (den) mother with the girls Home Ec. programs.  

She married Claude Leep in 1961 and they moved to the Lewis home in May of 1965.  Laverne continued with her volunteer work.  Several more years with the 4-H and she was the first treasurer with the VFW Auxiliary when it was formed with VFW 10232.  She was treasurer for 14 years.  Claude was a charter member of Post 10232.  LaVerne was also a member of the Good Cheer Club, a rural group of ladies.  The club was formed in the fall of 1929.  LaVerne held many officers positions through the years.

LaVerne also followed the Ferdig ladies with her sewing, knitting, crocheting and all kinds of crafts. She also loved working outside in her yard and flower and vegetable gardens along with the holiday decorating.  In later years she was also an avid reader.  After her Mother entered the Frederic nursing home, she was involved there as a volunteer with craft activities and visiting with the residents. 

She traveled with Claude after the kids were on their own, with his job.  They lived in Sauk Center, Redwood Falls, Olivia and Rochester during the week, and in Lewis weekends until Claude went on disability.  They made many trips visiting Claude's family in Seattle and LaVerne's family in the Portland area.  After Claude's death in January of 1984, LaVerne got involved with church activities in the Lewis Methodist Church.  She also started painting ceramics.  She bought her first computer in 2005 and spent her last years enjoying keeping in touch with friends and family on Facebook. 

Preceding her in death are her parents, Edith and Alfred; husband, Claude; son, Michael; brother-in-law, William Potter; and nephew, Ronald Potter.

She is survived by her sister, Elsie Potter; daughter, Diane (Ron) Ackland; daughter, Carol (Lee) Mangelsen; sister-in-law, Verla Britt; grandchildren, Stacy (Curt) Berry, Skylar (Barb) Ackland, Jenny (Krist) Midbrod, Thomas (Lisa) Mangelsen, Patrick (Stacy) Jarvis, Amy (Marc) Shatswell, Amber Berklund, Adam Berklund; great-grandchildren, Jayme Sparby, Jill McEdward, Miranda Berry, Jordan Jacobson, John Hostak, Stephanie Jarvis, Michael Jarvis, Ryan Shatswell, Kaitlyn Shatswell, Ethan Midbrod, Emelia Midbrod; great-great-granddaughter, Raelyn Sparby; niece, Connie Colten; nephew, Charles (Peggi) Potter.

Special thanks to all LaVe's friends and neighbor's, Jerry Crandell for being Mom's second son and his wife Betty, her Lewis church family, and the wonderful staff at Amery Medical Center for their loving care and support, not only of LaVe, but her family as well.

A Celebration of Life for LaVerne (LaVe) Leep will be held on what would have been her 94th birthday, Saturday, June 22nd, at Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church in Lewis, WI.  Visitation with family will begin at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home,

Last Update: Jun 03, 2019 4:38 pm CDT