Alverna Leach

Alverna A. Leach, age 73 of Melrose died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at her home in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Mar. 7, 2006 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating. Private inurnment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 8 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Alverna Leach was born June 20, 1932, in St. Killian, Minnesota on the family farm of her parents, Henry and Katherine (Schlichte) Bruns. She was a graduate of Worthington Senior High School. Alverna married Joseph W. Leach on December 27, 1955 in Worthington, MN. The couple lived in Mankato until 1958 when they moved back to Worthington. A year later they moved to New Munich where they lived for 2 years. They then moved to Melrose where they had since made their home. Alverna was employed by Wander Clothing Company from 1977 to 1987. She was an avid collector of antiques and had a booth at the antique shop in Osakis. She enjoyed flowers and was a marathon Yatzee player. Alverna was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the American Legion Auxiliary in Melrose.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph Leach of Melrose; children, Rick Leach (Terri) of St. Cloud, Ron Leach (Lori) of Sauk Centre, Rob Leach (Mindy) of Sauk Centre, Suhanna Mills (Michael) of Freeport, and Joe Leach (Barb) of Avon; 12 grandchildren, Hannah Leach (Fianc+e, Paul Abraham), John Leach, Charlie, Nathan (Heidi), and Pete (Gina) Leach, Cody and Danelle Reiter, Aaron and Kenzie Mills, Sam, Ellen, and Will Leach; sisters and brothers, Coletta Tennessen (Vincent) of Fulda, Vince Bruns (Marie) of Lubbock, TX, Irma Schuerger (John), and Willis Bruns (Sue), both of California, Audrey Kellen (Clarence) of Adrian and Viola Lebrun of Wilmont.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters and brother, Marie Henning, Norb Bruns and Vivian Dorn.

Serving as casket bearers will be Marshall Johnson, Daryl Hendrickson, Jesse Lovelace, Dave Anderson, Gordy Olson, Charlie Dempewolf, and Ernie Bergeron. Serving as cross bearer will be Mary Schad and scripture bearer will be Judy Hendrickson. Honorary bearers will be Mary Schad, Judy Hendrickson, Bobbi Anderson, Denise Johnson, Wendy Olson, Eileen Bergeron, Micki Lovelace, Fitzie Schroeder, Ann Beard, Rae Kuzma, Diane Mosford, and Virgene Dempewolf.