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    Laverne D. Kraft, 86, of Aberdeen, passed away Thursday, June 8, 2017, at ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen following a blessedly brief battle with cancer.

     Her memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 16, 2017, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1620 Milwaukee Ave NE, Aberdeen, with Pastor Rhia Strohm officiating.

     Laverne’s wishes were to be cremated with burial taking place at Cyrus Cemetery, in Cyrus, MN, at a later date.

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

     Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, at the mortuary.

     Laverne Delores Rosby was born January 27, 1931 in Farewell, MN, to Thorvald & Bertha (Brandvold) Rosby. She attended country school before attending and graduating from Cyrus High School.

     Laverne married Harvey Helgerson in July of 1948 in Cyrus, MN. While living in Minnesota, she worked at the Dew Drop Inn in Hoffman, MN.

     Laverne then moved to Aberdeen, SD, where she married Ben Kraft. They were active with their trucking business for over 20 years. During that time, she dispatched the trucks, lined-up loads, and managed the office and accounting for the business.

     In her late 50’s, Laverne decided that she would re-enter the job market and worked hard to attain her GED and learned typing. Upon completion of her training, she was hired as a reservationist for Super 8 Motels headquarters, where she worked for many years before becoming the Office Manager for Computer Doctor and Expetec franchise systems, all headquartered in Aberdeen, SD.

     Laverne loved traveling, riding snowmobile, dining out, going on trail rides and spending time with her friends and family. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a kind and loving heart. She was a lifetime VFW member, and member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, SD.

       Laverne is survived by her sons, Philip of Hoffman, MN and Lonnie of Oakes, ND; grandchildren Melysa and Justin Rehms of Sioux Falls, SD, Mitchell and Jennifer Helgerson of Lake Elmo, MN, Megan Helgerson of Phoenix, AZ, Mikeal Helgerson and Jessica Provost of Moorhead, MN, and Chandler, Ainsley, Hannah, and Nora Helgerson Oakes, ND; as well as five great grandchildren, and all who called her friend.

     She was preceded in death by her daughter, Peggy; her parents, and her brother, Leslie.