Laverne Enneking

LaVerne B. "Vern" Enneking age 79, of Melrose, died peacefully Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 16 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Knights of Columbus, Council #1633 will pray at 6 p.m. followed by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7 p.m. and parish prayers at 8 p.m. Thursday evening.

LaVerne Enneking was born February 21, 1928 in Melrose, Minnesota to Bernard and Elizabeth (Hinnenkamp) Enneking. Vern served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 during the Korean Conflict. He received his GED in the military. When he came back from Korea, he attended Dunwoody Institute for auto body repair and then worked at the Mobil Station in Melrose. He married Rita Scholz on June 30, 1952 in St. Francis, MN. He drove a parts truck for Baston Chevrolet and later worked as a custodian for St. Mary's Church and school. He also owned his own carpet cleaning business. Vern was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050, American Legion Post 101, St. Mary's Parish Board, and a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Council #1633. Vern enjoyed woodworking, fishing, camping, yard work, crossword puzzles, reading, and spending time at the cabin.

Survivors include his wife, Rita Enneking of Melrose; children, Debra Wojtalewicz and her husband, Barry of St. James, Linda Sabatini and her husband, Len of Chillicothe, OH, Jane Coulson and her husband, Brad of St. Michael, Lisa Gobernatz and her husband, Jeff of New London, Karen Eveslage and her husband, Greg of Melrose, and Julie Baloun and her husband, Brent of Sartell; 15 grandchildren; and sister, Selestia Zenzen of Melrose.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents; and step-mother, Katherine Enneking.

Serving as casket bearers will be Michael Wojtalewicz, Joseph Wojtalewicz, Eric Eveslage, Nick Eveslage, Brent Coulson, and Casey Coulson. Serving as cross bearer will be Michelle Sabatini and scripture bearer will be Katie Wojtalewicz.