LaVerne Calverley

After 90 years, LaVerne Calverley was called to the Heavenly gates on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at her residence at the St. Johns Community on Fountain Lake in Albert Lea, MN. A funeral service will be held at 11am on Tuesday, September 30 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove, MN. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the church. Pastor Jamie Cameron will be officiating.

LaVerne was born on June 19, 1935 to John and Lydia Pritzkau in Dixon Township, North Dakota. She attended school at the Dixon Township school system. She married Cecil Brandt in 1954. After his passing in 1975, she met James Calverley and married him in 1979.

LaVerne loved to bake, and would make special cakes for the family. She also enjoyed canning, sometimes canning over 400 jars in a season. She had a love of music, and taught herself how to play the piano. Along with playing piano, she loved to sing at church and made many long-lasting relationships with her church family. LaVerne inherited her trademark sense of humor and sharp wit from her mother. LaVerne was known to shop. If there was a garage sale, you could count on her being there. She would often start her Christmas shopping in July. But most of all, she loved to spend time with her family and friends, and let everyone know that Jesus was her savior.

LaVerne is survived in death by her children Charmaine (Wayne) Sickels, Jerry (Jane) Brandt, Arlie (Sherry) Brandt, Ron (Doris) Brandt, Connie (Michael) Zimmerman, Carolyn (David) Hanson, James (Amy) Calverley, and Mark Calverley; along with her special adopted children Donna and Scott Haukoos. Grandchildren Dawn (Chad) Gilbertson, Joshua (Tiffany Root) Brandt, Daniel (Jordan) Brandt, Justin (Stacy Mullis) Brandt, Crystal McClure, Lauren (Travis) Donelan, Adam (Annmarie) Lord, Taylor (Chris) Fetter, Alex (Shannon Reilly) Lord, Sara (Shane) Carthy, Samantha (Kyle) Bucher, Joshua (Kara) Gore, Christine Gore, Michael (Amy) Hanson, Michelle (Robert) Rossini, Timothy (Tiffany) Hanson, Shawn (Rhonda) Calverley, Jason Calverley, Jason Jasper, Jeremy Calverley, Michael (Mariah) Calverley, Jamie Calverley, Jimmy Calverley, and Sarah Wiger; along with many beloved great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Her siblings Donna Turner and Clifton Pritzkau; and sister-in-law Mavis Pritzkau.

LaVerne is preceded in death by her husbands Cecil H. Brandt and James E. Calverley; parents John and Lydia Pritzkau; daughter Ame Wiger; sister Carol Ann Pritzkau; brothers Julius (Gwen) Pritzkau, Clyde Pritzkau, Richard Pritzkau, James (Linda) Pritzkau, Alvin Pritzkau, and Duaine Pritzkau. Brother-in-law Jack Turner and sister-in-law Louisa Mae Pritzkau.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the First Baptist Church of Clarks Grove Roof Fund.

The service will be live-streamed from by the First Baptist Church of Clarks Grove, and may be accessed using the following link.

 https://www.fbcclarksgrove.org/page/live-stream