Laverne Marie Jerke

Funeral services for LaVerne Marie Jerke, 96, of Aberdeen, will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 624 No. Jay St., with Pastor Tyler Poppen officiating. Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M., Monday, at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Ave NW, and for one hour prior to the service at the church.

LaVerne passed away Saturday, November 9, 2013, at ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen.

LaVerne Marie Hoefs was born October 6th, 1917 to Reinie and Louise (Kath) Hoefs on the family farm outside of Hankinson, ND. LaVerne was the second eldest of four sisters. LaVerne was educated at a country school and rode horse to and from school daily.

In 1935, LaVerne married Ray Berner in Lidgerwood, ND. They were blessed with four children, Wayne, Claudette, Cher and Stewart. During World War II, LaVerne worked for Boeing Aircraft in Portland, Oregon. She helped out the war effort by packing parachutes.

LaVerne and her children moved to Aberdeen, SD in 1955, where she met and married Cliff Jerke. They were blessed with one son, Gene. LaVerne worked for JC Penny and NSU until her retirement in 1975.

Her love for antiques, linens and jewelry drew her to many auctions, flea markets and sales, where she met and made many friends. You could find her at most auctions wearing a hat and a smile.

In 1990, LaVerne moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. She always wanted to be a big city gal. LaVerne spent eight fun filled years living with her daughter, Claudette and granddaughter, Angel. While living in Minneapolis, she found her love for dogs. Her constant companion was a Chihuahua named Destiny. LaVerne moved back to Aberdeen in 1998.

LaVerne was a practical jokester; she loved to laugh and was the life of the party. LaVerne always saw the good in the people around her; she will be lovingly missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; one son, Wayne Berner; two daughters, Claudette Berner and Cher Smith; one granddaughter, Mindy Thiery; three sisters, Lorena Kackman, Dorthy Gebro and Joy Coppin; and one nephew, Dean Coppen.

Grateful to have shared LaVerne's life are her sons, Stoo (Cindy) Berner of Grand Junction, CO and Gene (Paula) Jerke of Aberdeen, SD; ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren; and a set of twin great great-grandsons.