LaVerne Hennen

Funeral services for LaVerne Hennen of Barrett, MN, formerly of Morris will be Monday, July 22, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Celebrant for the funeral mass will be Father Todd Schneider. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a rosary at 7:00 and a prayer service to follow at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Visitation will resume one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Morris.

LaVerne Marguerite Hennen was born on July 16, 1935, in Framnas Township in Stevens County, Minnesota, to Albert and Avis (Freeman) Grote. She was raised on the family farm and attended country school at the Stone School House until the 8th grade. LaVerne continued her schooling and graduated from Morris High School in 1953. Following graduation, she began working as a bookkeeper at Hemming Chevrolet. She was offered a job there when she was still in high school, after her bookkeeping teacher recommended her to this employer when he called the school. On September 8, 1956, she was united in marriage to Arnold “Arnie” Hennen at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Synnes Township and began farming. They later moved to Framnas Township, where Arnie started Raymond Brothers Transport in the Morris area and LaVerne kept their books. In December of 1966, the couple made their home in Morris. When all of their children went to school, LaVerne went back to work at Ben Franklin/JCPenney as a store clerk, where she worked for many years. Arnie preceded LaVerne in death in 1999. She continued to live in their home until 2007 when she sold her home and moved into the Heritage Apartments. In May of 2016, LaVerne became a resident of the Barrett Care Center where she lived until her death.

LaVerne was a lifetime member of Assumption Catholic Church in Morris and a member of the Christian Mothers Ladies group there. LaVerne was a woman of strong faith. Her faith was important to her, and she was very faithful about taking her family to church. LaVerne enjoyed attending sporting events with her husband, Arnie, as well as attending her children and grandchildren’s activities. Most importantly, LaVerne cherished the time that she was able to spend with her family. She liked crocheting, reading, watching the Minnesota Twins on TV, making things for her children and grandchildren, and baking. LaVerne was a wonderful cook and loved to can. She planted a small garden each year, but most of the vegetables were gifted to her or came from the local farmer’s markets.

LaVerne passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at the Barrett Care Center in Barrett, MN. She was 84 years old.

She is survived by four sons: Steve Hennen of Ortonville, Mike (Lori) Hennen of Foley, Greg Hennen of St. Cloud, and Jeff (Stacy) Hennen of Breckenridge; three daughters: Lisa (Gerry) Engquist of Herman, Lori (Dennis) Sutherland of Hoffman, and Linda Stahn of Humboldt, SD; two sisters: Ladell Cress of Elk Grove, CA, and Debbie (Mark) Edlund of Woodbury; brother-in-law: James Klingensmith of Claremont, CA; sister-in-law: Essene Grote of Waconia; 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband, Arnie; 3 brothers: Donald, Robert, and Jerry Grote; one sister, Alberta Klingensmith, and great-granddaughter Amelia Sutherland.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.