Laverne Ann (Boesel) Detlefsen was born March 22, 1932, to Fred and Anna (Englert) Boesel in Eagan Township, Minn., where she grew up with her sisters on the family farm. She graduated from Rosemount High as Valedictorian, attended Valparaiso University, and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing. After marrying Kenneth Detlefsen on June 30, 1955, they lived in Eagan before moving to Red Wing, Minn. After college, she worked for a short time in Dakota County as a public health nurse/school nurse and at the University of Minnesota Hospital while her husband Ken was attending veterinary college. She was a stay-at-home mother until her children were older then she went back to work at the Red Wing Care Center, where she greatly enjoyed her time. Laverne was involved in Homemakers Club, Card Club, and was an active member of United Lutheran Church. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, and the arts. She was an avid gardener and baker and found great joy in hosting Christmas at her townhouse in Red Wing. She and Ken also had a home in Las Vegas, and a lake lot in Cumberland, Wis., where they spent many summers and winters. Friends and family of Laverne will remember her love for sewing and crocheting prayer shawls. Laverne passed away peacefully on July 15, 2020.
She is survived by her 2 children, Anne and Bill Detlefsen, daughter-in-law Shari; 5 grandchildren, Ruth, Helen, Nicole, Jeff, and Amanda; 4 great-grandchildren, Kylah, Brisa, Kenny, and Isabella; and her beloved sisters, Irlene, Ruth, Irma, and Judy, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is reunited in death with her husband Kenneth; parents, Fred and Anna; and sister, Lucille.
Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 23, 2020 at United Lutheran Church with Reverend Justin Boeding officiating. Burial will have been at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements with the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.