Laverle M. Lorenzen

LaVerle Mae Lorenzen was born to Harry and Jettie (Matley) Colbeck on August 8, 1926 in Trosky, Minnesota where she was raised and attended school. When she was in the fifth grade, she moved with her parents to Pipestone, Minnesota. She continued attending school there and graduated from Pipestone High School in 1944. Upon completion of her education, she became employed at Wood Novelty in Pipestone. LaVerle was never going to marry a farmer, but lo and behold, she met Orland Lorenzen. On March 28, 1949, she was united in marriage to Orland at the Methodist Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they farmed near Hardwick, Minnesota. In 1953, they moved to a farm near Edgerton, Minnesota; and in 1960, they moved to a farm near Beaver Creek, Minnesota. In 1965, they moved to a farm north of Magnolia, Minnesota where they lived until 1973 when they moved into Magnolia. LaVerle worked for a short while at the Magnolia Steak House. She then became a daycare provider in her home until her retirement in 1991. LaVerle was very dedicated to raising her grandchildren. Orland preceded LaVerle on October 1, 2013. On Monday, February 12, 2018, LaVerle died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne at the age of 91 years, 6 months, and 4 days.

LaVerle was a member of the Magnolia Methodist Church, the Magnolia United Methodist Women, and the Naomi Circle. She was a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Hardwick. She and her husband were a team. Together they raised a big garden each year. They also spent time gathering wood for the wood burner and while doing this, they cleaned out many area groves.

She is lovingly remembered by her five children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Sheila (Jeff) Hazard of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Randal (Becky) Lorenzen of Magnolia, Minnesota (granddaughter, Emily (Drew) Albin, great-granddaughters, Gwen and Evelyn), Sharon (David) Boltjes of Adrian, Minnesota (granddaughter, Haley Boltjes (boyfriend, Erik Ness)), Sharlene (Jim) Vrtacnik of Bigfork, Minnesota (grandsons, Joshua (Kim) Vrtacnik, great-granddaughter, Evie, and Joseph (Courtney) Vrtacnik, great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Emmett), Ryan (Rhonda) Lorenzen of Wakefield, Nebraska (Granddaughters, Hannah and Sarah); three sisters-in-law, Marion Colbeck of Hopkins, Minnesota, Marion Lorenzen of Jasper, Minnesota, and Luella Haroldson of Jasper; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orland; son, Richard Lorenzen; parents; six sisters, Virgie Barck, Leona Olbele, Mabel Colbeck, Milda Buffington, Marthy Colbeck, and Dorothy Taubert; and three brothers, Leland, Leo, and Floyd Colbeck.