Click here to watch LaVere's Mass of Christian burial.

LaVere M. Kallas, of Aberdeen, and formerly of Leola, SD, passed away Monday, January 1, 2018, at the age of 85.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 5, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Michael Griffin as celebrant.

Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass at the church on Friday.

Friends may sign LaVere’s online guestbook and also view her service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

LaVere Marie Lacher was born October 27, 1932 in Aberdeen, SD.  She was the first-born daughter of Wendell and Agnes (Biegler) Lacher and grew up on the farm near Richmond, SD.

On October 27, 1954, LaVere married Francis Kallas at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen.  The couple made their home on Francis’ farm near Leola, SD.  In addition to helping her husband farm, LaVere created a warm and happy home for their 12 children, whom she referred to as her “dozen red roses”.  Francis and LaVere farmed for 36 years before retiring in 1990 and moving to Leola.  In 2011, they moved to Aberdeen, where they continued to reside until the time of her death.

LaVere’s life was devoted to her family and her Catholic Faith.  She also greatly enjoyed singing with the Dakota Sunshine Singers, as well as in the church choir.

In her spare time, LaVere enjoyed crocheting, working with ceramics, and making mission rosaries.  She was an excellent baker who loved sharing her creations with everyone who entered their home.  There truly were no strangers in her kitchen.  LaVere will especially be remembered for her chocolate chip cookies and brownies, which were some of her special treats.

Blessed to have shared in LaVere’s life is her husband of 63 years, Francis Kallas of Aberdeen; 12 children:  Linda (Jon) Fleming of Katy, TX, Carol Mitchell of Baton Rouge, LA, Mary (Jerry) Kaul of Dallas, TX, Leona (Dennis) Pfeifle of Eureka, SD, Shirley (Rod) Joachim of Eureka, SD, Larry (Cindy) Kallas of Brooklyn Park, MN, Wendell (Chantell) Kallas of Rapid City, SD, Melvin (Marian) Kallas of Leola, SD, David (Valeri) Kallas of Sioux Falls, SD, Paulette Steinmann of Fridley, MN; Philip (Kathie) Kallas of Neola, IA, and Anna Kallas Weisser of Aberdeen; one sister, Lorraine Lanphere of Aberdeen; 21 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

LaVere is preceded in death by her parents, Wendell and Agnes Lacher; daughter-in-law, Arlene Kallas; and son-in-law, Sonny Mitchell.