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LaVerne Custer Obituary – 6/10/2016


LaVerne Leona Eleanor Custer, age 90, of Howard Lake, was called to her heavenly home Friday, June 10, 2016.

She was born Aug. 10, 1925, on the Luhman family farm southwest of Howard Lake, to Alfred and Clara (Klammer) Luhman.

A lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, LaVerne was baptized Sept. 6, 1925, and confirmed in her faith April 2, 1939.

LaVerne and Donald Custer began their married life together Feb. 4, 1945, at St. James Lutheran Church, Howard Lake. This marriage was blessed with three children. They made their home and living on the family farm where LaVerne had been born.

As a farm wife, LaVerne drove tractor for baling hay, raised chickens, and now and then took care of a few pigs. Every summer, she had large vegetable and flower gardens, growing cucumbers for canning her famous dill pickles and taking special care to raise her beloved gladiolas.

For many years, she and Donald enjoyed getting away to a cabin on Fish Trap Lake, and in later years, camping with family at Schroeder and Collinwood parks.

LaVerne was employed at the Green Giant canning factory in Cokato for many summers, also working at the sewing factory in Howard Lake, and later at Gage Marketing Group in Howard Lake.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; parents Alfred and Clara Luhman; and siblings Hubert Luhman, Harriet Gronlund, Eugene Luhman, Adelbert Luhman, and Harvey Luhman.

She is survived by her children, Linda (Darril) Telecky of Winsted, Steven (Pamela) Custer of Savage, and Brenda (Terry) Dalbec of Delano; six grandchildren, Jill (Anthony) Adrian, Aaron (Anna) Telecky, Abby (Brandon) Corbesia, Shane (Pauli) Custer, Nathan (Wenyi) Dalbec, and Andrew Dalbec; and six great-grandchildren, Nikolas and Samantha Adrian, Isabelle and Ruth Telecky, Samuel and Cecelia Corbesia, and Mia Rich.

LaVerne is further survived by her brother, Arvid (Violet) Luhman; nieces, nephews; and many friends and neighbors.

Her funeral service took place Thursday, June 16 at 11 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake. Interment was at St. James Cemetery.

There was visitation Wednesday, June 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. James Lutheran School, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Casket bearers were Nathan Dalbec, Andrew Dalbec, Aaron Telecky, Shane Custer, Kevin Gronlund, and Jim Gronlund.

Arrangements were with the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake and Cokato.

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