LAVERNE J. MASSMAN

LAVERNE J. MASSMAN OBITUARY On July 22, 2025, heavenly angels came to take Laverne Joseph Massman, age 96, of Caledonia MN, to his eternal home, where he will now be reunited with his wife of 70 years, Julia, and many other family members awaiting his arrival. Laverne passed away peacefully, at Claddagh Senior Living, surrounded by the love of his children & family and the Claddagh and St. Croix care teams. Born March 14, 1929, near Ossian, in Military Township (Winneshiek County), Iowa, he was the firstborn of 9 children to Frank and Lucy (Backes) Massman. He attended St. Mary’s parochial school in Festina, Iowa through grade 8, then Calmar High School, where he was a letterman in baseball & football and participated in many school activities including FFA, newspaper & yearbook staffs and senior class play, as well as 4-H. After graduation in 1948, he embarked on his chosen career, a Farmer. He met Julia Malanaphy (Decorah, Iowa) through high school and 4H, fell in love, and married June 20, 1951. They initially set out to farm and begin their family on property near Ridgeway, IA., where nine siblings were born. Then, in 1961, they moved their growing family to Caledonia and eventually settled on Beaver Ridge where they ran a family farm business and raised their thirteen children. As a farmer, some of Laverne’s most proud moments involved his children competing and showing dairy cattle, hogs, and horses, as well as gardening & homemaking items at the Houston County Fair. As their children grew to become significant farm & home helpers, Laverne also worked night shift at Trane Company in La Crosse, then transitioned to a very successful second career in sales, receiving numerous achievement citations and awards including trips with Julia to Hawaii and Europe. Laverne loved to play euchre, anytime, and has passed his love of the game on to generations! He also enjoyed golf and the annual family deer hunting season – oh, the stories and the sausage making! As a devout Catholic, he passed along faith, love and good values. He had a passion for democracy, inspired by his Christian faith, and he regularly participated at local government meetings and elections. He and Julia traveled many miles in support of their children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and school activities. Laverne and family always enjoyed looking out over their land and seeing the fruits of their labor just before harvest time. In retirement, Laverne and Julia continued to support the Caledonia Warriors, enjoyed cross-country road trips and daily lunch at local restaurants. Laverne beamed with pride at being a Grandpa and Great Grandpa! Laverne is survived by his 13 children Terry, Gary (Judy), Julie (Kevin) Burnett, Steve, Randy, Diane, Laverne (Lisa), Lori Cain, Janet (Arnold) Mindham, Ron (Cheryl), Matt (Christopher Solheid), Rich (Michelle), Amy; 28 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses Francis & JoAnn Massman, Albin Massman, Sr Marian Massman FSPA, Leo Massman; sister-in-law Phyllis Massman, brother-in-law Lowell Loesch. He is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Laverne was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Julia; grandson Oliver, great-granddaughter Purity Rose; his parents Frank & Lucy Massman; siblings Don Massman, Cynthia Tillman, Helen Loesch, James Massman; his brothers and sisters-in-law Verna Massman, Robert Tillman, Barb Massman; his father-in-law and mother-in-law James & Dorothy Malanaphy; his brothers- and sisters-in-law Betty & Glen Martin; Joyce Lynch, John & Jannan Malanaphy, Jim & Jean Malanaphy, Dorothy & Jack Kendall, Mary & Leo Manning; and nine nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 28th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 513 S Pine St, Caledonia, MN 55921, with Father Greg Leif presiding. Visitation will precede the Mass, from 9:30 until 10:45 at the adjacent St. Mary’s Holy Family Hall. The family specially thanks the entire Claddagh team who lovingly cared for Dad in his later years, and the St. Croix hospice team for their wonderful care in his last months. Cards & memorials may be sent to his family in care of: McCormick Funeral Home, 205 East Main Street, Caledonia, MN 55921

LAVERNE J. MASSMAN

March 14, 1929 - July 22, 2025