LaVerne Akin

LaVerne M. Akin, age 97, of Melrose, passed away after a short illness on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at Pine Villa CentraCare in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 10:30 AM at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose with Father Timothy Sauer officiating with inurnment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose following the Mass. Guests are invited to a lunch at the American Legion in Melrose at 11:30.

LaVerne Margaret Nentl was born on December 12, 1924, in Albany, MN to Casper and Margaret Nentl. Upon graduation from Albany High School, LaVerne travelled to Washington D.C. where she worked for the federal government in support of the Second World War effort for approximately two years. She returned to Albany to care for her mother who had fallen ill. But luck would have it upon returning home that she would also meet and fall in love with her future husband, Duane Akin who was a depot agent for the Great Northern Railway in Albany. LaVerne and Duane married in 1946 and moved to Melrose shortly thereafter to raise their family. In 1966 LaVerne lost her beloved husband Duane. Ever the resilient woman, LaVerne pressed on and quietly but lovingly raised her four children with the support of family, great friends, kind neighbors, and the wonderful community of Melrose.

LaVerne is survived by her daughter Susan (Mark) Lindquist of Tucson, Arizona; Thomas (Lisa) of Boston, Massachusetts; James (Karen) of Vadnais Heights, Minneosta; sister-in-law Patricia Nentl of Crosslake, Minnesota; 6 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 3 nieces, and 6 nephews.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her husband Duane, her son Patrick, her parents Casper and Margaret, and her siblings, Virgil, Daniel, Rosemary, and Ralph.

LaVerne was curious and intrepid. LaVerne loved to travel, and she instilled in her kids that same sense of adventure. She loved a Sunday drive across Stearns County as well as a trip across the USA to visit family and friends (especially when she could ride Amtrak!). She especially enjoyed traveling to Europe and even survived a trip to Central Africa! LaVerne was a woman of many talents and interests; she spoiled her kids and grandkids at every opportunity. She made the best Christmas cookies and the most beautiful quilts that will be treasured for a long time. But most of all LaVerne will be remembered as a woman of generosity, a great friend, and the friendly neighbor who always had a ready smile.