LaVerne Gunderson, age 75, of Twin Valley, Minnesota, died Friday, October 13, 2006, in MeritCare Hospital, Fargo.

LaVerne Lien was born October 20, 1930 east of Twin Valley, Minnesota the daughter of James and Clarice (Sannan) Lien. She was raised on the family farm near Fossum, Minnesota. As a child she was baptized and confirmed in her faith at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church near Twin Valley. LaVerne graduated from the Twin Valley High School and as a young woman she worked in the cafe in Twin Valley. On November 26, 1950 she was united in marriage to Jewell Gunderson at the Wild Rice parsonage. They made their home northeast of Twin Valley where they farmed until 1955. At that time they moved into Twin Valley where she worked at the cafe and also at Odin's Market for several years. In the early 1960's, LaVerne became a nurse's aid at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley and was employed there for over 30 years. It was a job she truly loved. Even after her retirement she would do volunteer work at the home and will be remembered for her skits, the jokes she would play on the residents and other staff and the fun she brought to everyone there.
Jewell and LaVerne served together as custodians at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, for several years. Jewell died in 2002 and LaVerne has continued to make her home in Twin Valley since that time.

LaVerne was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She loved to visit, being with people and was active in her church. She was a past Sunday school teacher, active with the ladies aid, serving as treasurer and secretary, quilting and bible study.

Surviving LaVerne are two daughters, Renee (Dale) Armstrong, of Twin Valley, MN, and Debora (Larry) Rothschadl of Moorhead, MN; two sons, Myron ( Sonya) of Vergus, MN and Dale (Nancy) of Moorhead, MN; eight grandchildren, Sandra Boman, Keith Rothschadl, Nicholas Gunderson, Jeffrey Rothschadl, Kevin Gunderson, Bobbi Hestdalen, Steven Armstrong, Gregory Rothschadl; five great grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren. Her parents, husband, Jewell and one grandson, Jeremy Gunderson, preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be Tuesday 10:30am in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Minnesota. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm in the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley and also one hour before services before services at the church.

Pastor Robert Behling will officiate with music being provided by Myrna Thornton as organist and Trudy Briard as soloist. Her pallbearers will be Robin Stene, Jay Stene, Bryan Thronson, Kelly Thronson, Jerry Thorpe and Ilton Thorpe Jr. LaVerne's honorary pallbearers are all of the staff at the Twin Valley Living Center. Internment will take place at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Minnesota.