LaVerne Louise (Winkelmann) Rohren went to be with her Heavenly Father on Dec. 27, 2022, at the age of 100 years, 1 month, 22 days.
She was born Nov. 1, 1922, to William and Martha (Pflughaupt) Winkelmann on a farm north of Utica. LaVerne was baptized Nov. 19, 1922, at Zion Lutheran Church (Marysville, Nebraska), and later confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church (Gurley, Nebraska), on April 5, 1936. She married Leonard Rohren on May 18, 1945 in Jacksonville, Florida. As a Navy wife, she lived in many places while managing and caring for her family. LaVerne and her family returned to Utica in 1959, where she and Leonard ran their tavern and café, Spike’s Tavern, until about 1968. She later worked at Dixon Drug Store in Utica for about five years.
LaVerne was a long-time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Utica and a “Gold Star Sister,” who was active in the American Legion Post 49 Auxiliary. LaVerne also enjoyed many hours playing cribbage at the Utica Senior Center with her friends. In 2012, she moved from her home in Utica to an independent living facility in Seward, followed by a change in residence in February 2022 to an assisted living/memory care facility in Lincoln.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her immediate family members, husband, Leonard Rohren; parents, William and Martha Winkelmann; brothers, Alfred Winkelmann, Alvin Winkelmann, Gerald Winkelmann and Dennis Winkelmann; and sister, Delores (West) Nordmeyer. She is survived by her sons, Lathan “Butch” (Brenda) Rohren and Kenton (Carolyn) Rohren, both of Lincoln; grandchildren, Jennifer (Mark) Stawderman of Matthews, North Carolina, Kendra Rohren of Lincoln, Tara Greer of Candler, North Carolina, Kyle (Erin) Rohren of Lincoln, Kari (Nico) Cantarero of Golden Valley, Minnesota, and Amanda Rohren of Lincoln; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Valora Rieger of Independence, Missouri; and sister-in-law, Barbara Fortner of Austin, Texas.
The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Utica with committal at the Utica Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Rohren family. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
