LaVerne Evelyn Johnson, age 87, of Ham Lake, passed away June 4, 2024. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 8th 11:00 AM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 19001 Jackson St NE, East Bethel, MN with visitation one hour prior to service. Memorials preferred to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
Laverne E. Johnson, 87 years of Ham Lake, passed away June 4, 2024. She was born July 7, 1936 in Minneapolis, MN to Walter and Mildred Pieper. LaVerne graduated from North High in 1954 and cosmetology school in 1955 and began work at Jackie Ann’s Salon in North Minneapolis. She met Erwin A. Johnson on a blind date on May 3, 1956 and they were married September 29, 1956. They had 4 children and moved to Ham Lake in 1965 where they joined and became active members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church which she continued until her death.
LaVerne was a stay at home mom for the most part, but worked part time as a beautician and did substitute work as a cook with the Anoka Hennepin School District. During LaVerne and Erwin’s married life they were involved with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Ham Lake Lions Club and enjoyed camping and traveling throughout the US with the family. They also enjoyed many activities such as fishing, swimming, boating, snowmobiling and ice skating. They especially enjoyed traveling to Denmark, Arizona, California and Hawaii together. Unfortunately, after just 25 years of marriage, Erwin passed away from cancer in April 1982.
LaVerne continued her travels with friends to Europe, the Caribbean, Scandinavia, and Alaska. LaVerne returned to work as a beautician and especially enjoyed working at Fridley Convalescent Center in the beauty shop, housekeeping and in laundry for 17 years until her retirement in 2000.
In 1991, LaVerne co-founded singles club at Our Saviour’s where she met Richard (Dick) Pottsmith. They spent the next 33 years together living in Ham Lake, traveling, building a house in Mississippi and spending winters there. The Pottsmith family became an extended family to LaVerne.
LaVerne’s health deteriorated Christmas Eve 2021 when her kidney’s shut down necessitating dialysis three times per week. This stopped her travels to Mississippi but it did not stop her social life. LaVerne’s health continued to decline and she elected to go on hospice May 25th, stopping her dialysis.
During her entire life, LaVerne made friends wherever she went. This was demonstrated by the countless phone calls, hospital and home visits, cards and letters she received the last weeks of her life. LaVerne made her final journey home in the early morning of June 4th with Dick, daughter Nancy, granddaughter Amanda and husband Michael at her side.
LaVerne is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Erwin; and her parents, Walter and Mildred Pieper. She is survived by her children, Susan (Lonnie) Smith, Jeffrey (Lisa) Johnson, Nancy (Doug) Scholz and Cassandra (Tom) Bakeman; 8 grandchildren, Andy (Sarah) Johnson, Megan Johnson, Christopher (Cassie) Bakeman, Joseph Scholz, Elizabeth (Brandon) Holland, Michael Scholz, Amanda (Michael) Ives and Emily Scholz; 4 great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Luke Bakeman, Donavan Ives and Chase Holland; sisters, Pearl Riska and Irene Pieper; many nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends; and by her loving partner, Dick Pottsmith.
Beautifully expressed.
Will miss my information lady. Always knew everything happening. Was a second mom to me while growing up next door. Was so hard to visit after her decision to quit her dialysis. She seemed so -fine ! She was her same talkative, still having all the gossip , self all the way to the end. It was beautiful all her family and friends were able to come see her and talk and laugh!! Hope my end is as beautiful as hers. Will miss Laverne -Mom!
I am so happy I was able to visit with LaVerne at the old Ham Lake house the week before she passed. Its been almost 24 years since I saw her last but she was still the same LaVerne. Chatting away about old neighborhood friends and people from 50+ years ago just like it was yesterday. She was so proud of her children, their families and all the grands and great grand kids. . Goodbye to a very special lady, the last of the Ham Lake moms who kept us all safe and well loved.
What a beautiful tribute to wonderful woman. I enjoyed getting to know her. I will miss her smile, her laugh, and her sense of humor.
Prayers of comfort and peace to you all.
We certainly miss her at our coffee table after church. So glad I visited her a few days before she went home to be with Jesus. She was a special friend.
We will miss you more then anyone knows you made us smile no matter what or how we felt
Yes mama Laverne I changed my hair color like u said n we live n miss you so much
Well written, beautiful tribute.
Laverne always had a good story to share about the past Ham Lake adventures! We sure enjoyed making new memories with our neighbors, Dick and Laverne.
So sorry for your loss.