LaVerne E. Kujath - Rochester

ROCHESTER — A memorial service for LaVerne E. Kujath will be 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at Faith United Methodist Church in Eyota, with the Rev. Mark Woodward officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial of her ashes will be at Bremen Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in rural Millville.

LaVerne (97) died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, at her daughter’s home in Rochester, after a short illness.

LaVerne Evelyn Angell was born March 6, 1912, in De Soto, Wis., to her parents, Curtis and Hulda (nee Kumlin) Angell. After graduating high school in South St. Paul, LaVerne attended nurses training at the Rochester State Hospital. She worked as a psychiatric aid there, then moved to Hastings, Minn., where she served as a psychiatric aid at the Hastings State Hospital for many years. She was credited with saving the lives of 65 mental patients in her care after finding window shades on fire in the hospital as well as a burning closet. She gave the fire alarm and began evacuating the patients. She received a certificate of commendation from Gov. Karl Rolvaag.

On Sept. 28, 1932, LaVerne married Carlton "Gus" Kujath. He passed away Feb. 3, 1984. Upon retirement, she moved to Lake City, and in 1990 she moved to Rochester to live with her daughter, Kay.

LaVerne was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Millville, where she held many positions, including past president. LaVerne was also a member of Eastern Star and Millville Senior Citizens. She enjoyed polka music, dancing, embroidery, flowers, quilting, gardening and baking, and loved all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild.

She is survived by three daughters, Kay Storing of Rochester, Jill (Peter) Fox of Millville and Shirley (Carl) Thoreson of Paris, Tenn.; one son, Dale (Donna) Kujath of Wabasha; 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one infant son, and 10 brothers and sisters.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel, 10 E. Broadway in Plainview. (507) 534-2353 www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com