La Verne H. Lager

La Verne Lager, age 93, passed away on March 6, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. La Verne was born on July 15, 1931, in Mayville Township, Houston County, MN, to Herbert and Inga (Nelson) Lager. He attended rural schools and graduated from Caledonia High School in 1948. 

He served in the United States Air Force. La Verne married Erma Peter, of Caledonia, MN, on August 15, 1953, in Oxnard, California. They returned to Caledonia in 1954. La Verne farmed until 1967, then worked various jobs until he secured his boilerman’s license and worked at Land O’ Lakes Creamery in Caledonia and then Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Erma passed away on June 24, 2001. 

La Verne married Vel Rierson on May 22, 2015, and they resided in Minneapolis. La Verne and Vel loved to travel via Amtrak. They also did an Alaskan cruise and made many trips to Laughlin, Nevada. One of La Verne’s favorite activities was mowing his lawn, then sitting in his backyard to admire it, and chatting with his neighbor and friend, Bob.

La Verne is survived by his wife, Vel; children, Debra Lager (Maryellen Paudler), Donna Lager (Steve Jacobsen), Dennis (Eileen Coveney) Lager, Daneen Lager, Darla Lager, and Darcie Lager; as well as Vel’s children, Sheryl Bock, Scott Roberts, and Dan Roberts. He is further survived by his daughter-in-law, Cordelia Ramirez and her family;  grandchildren, Katie Jacobsen (Alex Pfleging), Kristin Jacobsen, Emma Lager, and Ian Lager; and great grandchildren, Kit and Marceline Pfleging.

La Verne was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Erma; daughter, Diane in 2021; and by his son, David, in 2023. Also preceding him in death are his brothers and sisters-in-law, Dale and Henrietta Lager, and Glen and Martha Lager; and his loyal four-legged companion, Charlie, in 2023, and was greatly missed. 

There will be no formal service. Burial will take place in the future at Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia, Minnesota.

Starkson Family Anderson Chapel in Apple Valley will be handling arrangements.