LaVerne Michael Felten, 92, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at St. Marks Living in Austin.

LaVerne was born Aug. 19, 1927, in Nevada Township, Mower County, Minnesota, to John B. and Elizabeth (Wagner) Felten. He was raised as part of a hardworking farm family near Rose Creek, Minnesota, along with his four brothers and two sisters. He graduated from Rose Creek High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war. After the service, he returned home, where he worked a variety of jobs and eventually began work with the Hormel Company, where he worked for 35 years. During this time, he met Jane M. Landherr and they were married on Nov. 20, 1950. They were very fond of attending local dances and they especially enjoyed dancing at the Terp Ballroon to the big bands that played there. They even won a local dance contest.

LaVerne and Jane were life-long residents of Austin and raised their five children there. When he wasn’t working hard, LaVerne enjoyed fishing at their cabin near Waterville, Minnesota, or golfing with his friends and family at Ramsey Golf Course, where he golfed into his 80s. He was also a long-time member of the YMCA.

LaVerne was known for his quick wit and wry sense of humor. He worked at Mayer Funeral Home for many years after his retirement from Hormel, was an usher at St. Augustine Catholic Church, and a 10-year volunteer at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home, where he stated that those were the only people he could “push around” anymore.

Survivors include his daughter, Kay Brown, Fort Collins, Colorado; sons, Gary (Susan) Felten, Cornville, Arizona, Jim (Jeanne) Felten, Woodbury, Minnesota, and Ron (Kimberly) Felten, Austin; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Delores Campbell, Depere, Wisconsin; brother, John (Barb) Felten, Rose Creek; and sister-in-law, Linda Felten, Rose Creek. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Jane Felten; son, Dale Felten; son-in-law, Michael Brown; grandsons, David Brown and Joshua Williams; sister, Rosella; brothers, Harold, Edward and Arnold; and many loving in-laws, relatives and friends.

A celebration of life will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2020, at the Hormel Historic Home. A private family interment will follow. As per LaVerne’s request, no flowers or memorials please. Arrangements are by Mayer Funeral Home. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.