Laverne Leslie Krueger

LaVerne Leslie Krueger, 74, of La Crescent, MN passed away on Sunday, July 1, 2018 at the Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse. He was born on April 30, 1944 in West Union, IA to Lyle and Helen (Roberts) Krueger. From his birth until his death he drew people to him with laughter, caring, drinks and fun.

LaVerne attended grade school in Elgin, IA and graduated from Valley High School in 1962. After high school he worked at Ken’s Conoco in West Union. He served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1965-1967. Upon returning he worked for Schwan’s in West Union, IA and in Pennsylvania in the Tony’s Pizza Division. He moved to Sumner, IA in 1976 and was a salesman for Walnut Grove Feeds until retiring in 1989. He also raised custom hogs and cattle for many years.

Verne married Diane Bany on June 27, 1992. He started doing wood working in the basement shop in Sumner, IA and developed into a skilled craftsman. He built many shelves, then large trains and continued to expand into home construction and remodeling. He loved helping others with their projects, answering questions and borrowing them anything he had. He was a wonderful man with a larger than life personality and an unforgettable laugh. He will be missed greatly by everyone that knew him.

He is survived by his wife Diane, seven sons Eric (Natalie) Krueger of Owatonna, MN, Ryan (Tessa) Krueger of Fort Pierre, SD, Chris (Michelle) Bany of Rochester, MN, Mike (Brenda) Bany of Mount Vernon, IA, Tony (Sara) Bany of The Woodlands, TX, Gene (Mary) Wagner of Osage, IA and Gary Bock of Sumner, IA, nineteen grandchildren , three great grand-children, mother-in-law Loretta Stahlhut of La Crescent, one sister Linda (Dave) Solheim of Clermont, IA, a brother-in-law Darol (Deb) Stahlhut of Frederika, IA and a sister-in-law Terri Krueger of Elgin , IA. He was preceded in death by parents, a brother Larry Krueger and a brother-in-law Rex Stahlhut.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 6, 2018 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 825 Jonathan Lane, La Crescent. Pastor Bruce Stam will officiate. Military Honors will follow at the church. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 4:30 – 7:00 PM and again on Friday from 10 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Messiah Lutheran Church, Gundersen Hospice or Gundersen Medical Foundation. The Schumacher – Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, La Crescent Chapel is assisting the family.