LaVerne Kalinke

LaVerne Kalinke, 92, formerly of the town of Easton, passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at her home in Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

She was born December 13, 1924 in the town of Wausau to the late Louis and Frieda (Krenz) Kell. Laverne grew up during the Depression, learning the value of hard work and proud to have graduated from Wausau High School. On September 20, 1947, LaVerne married George Kalinke at St. Peter Lutheran Church, town of Wausau. Together they dairy farmed on their town of Easton farm raising their two daughters, Barb and Sandy. From vegetable and flower gardening, sewing, baking from scratch, canning and making donuts for the grandchildren, there was nothing LaVerne wouldn’t do for her family. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, working Jigsaw puzzles and feeding the birds.

Laverne is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Roger) Betts of Aniwa, Sandra (Keith) Radtke of Wausau, five grandchildren, Bridget (Dean) Gille, Dawn (Jason) Wesenick, Brandon (Pamela) Betts, Shawn (Crystal) Betts and Megan Radtke, nine great grandchildren, Crystal Junkin, Robin (Ty) Grunhaupt, Ryan, Rebeka, Zachary, Ariel, Hunter, Autumn and Ashlee, three great great grandchildren, Hannah, Payton and Savannah, brother, Derald (Darlene) Kell of Wausau, sister, Lenore Zastrow of Twin Lakes, brother-in-law, Wilbur Kalinke of Tomahawk and sister-in-law, Eunice Udick of Lakeland, Fl. She was preceded in death by her husband, George.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church, E7195 Star Road, Wausau. Reverend Ryan Fehrman will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.