Laverne Mann

Mr. LaVerne Mann, age 81 of Willow Lake, SD died in a DeSmet care center early Sunday morning, May 3, 2009. Mr. Mann had served at one time as Mayor of Willow Lake. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 11AM in the Grace Lutheran Church at Willow Lake with the Reverend Dave Larson officiating. Burial with military rites provided by the Johnny Fonken American Legion Post of Willow Lake will follow in the Pleasant Lutheran Cemetery of rural Vienna. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5-7PM at the Church in Willow Lake and 1 hour preceding services at the Church on Thursday morning. Music JoAnn Eggleston organist Melanie & Michael Schmidt duet On Eagles Wings Congregational Singing In The Garden Battle Hymn of the Republic Honorary Casketbearers All grandchildren and great-grandchildren Active Casketbearers Merlin Whitted Scott Borg Ervin Bade Dwayne Mann Lloyd Erickson Lyle Stoterau Interment Pleasant Lutheran Cemetery Vienna, South Dakota Military Rites Johnny Fonken American Legion Post #113 Willow Lake, South Dakota Following the interment, all are welcome back at the Church for a lunch and a time of fellow- ship with the Mann family. He was born LaVerne Marlin Mann on May 5, 1927 on a farm near Good Thunder, MN, the son of Oscar and Ida (Kruggel) Mann. He grew to adulthood in the Good Thunder area where he was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He entered the United States Army near the end of WWII and while in the service he was united in marriage to Beverly Erickson at Camp Polk, Louisiana. Following his discharge from the army he lived in Racine, WI doing factory work. They then moved to his families farm near Good Thunder where he farmed for eight years and taking care of his parents. In 1957 the family moved to Denver, CO where he worked for the Ball Corporation, making aluminum beer and soft drink cans. He served as the plant manager for many years before being transferred in 1972 to the plant in Williamsburg, VA where he also was employed as plant manager. After retiring in 1984, they moved to a place near Harrisburg, SD and lived there until moving to Willow Lake in 1995. While living in Willow Lake he became interested in city government and was appointed to the Willow Lake City Council in January of 1997 and served until being elected as Mayor in May of 1997. He continued serving as Mayor of Willow Lake until 2006. Some of his fondest moments were spent with family and friend, working with horses and being outdoors, working in the garden. Survivors include his wife Beverly of Willow Lake, a son, Roger (Sheri) Mann of Keenesburg, CO, and daughters, Joan (David) Putman of Raymond and Rita (Jim) Koerber of Starlite, Indiana, and a sister, LuElla Zuehlke of Racine, WI. He also leaves 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and 6 step great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, siblings, Ervin, Arnold, Walter, Herbert, Esther, Amandus, Elvera, a brother in infancy and a brother-in-law, Merlin Zuehlke. Services are announced by the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com