LaVern Erkenbrack

Published August 13, 2021 at 12:14 PM

The funeral service for LaVern Erkenbrack of Wadena, will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, August 14, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena, with Pastor Nate Loer presiding.

Surrounded by his family and under the compassionate care of Knute Nelson Hospice, LaVern passed away at the age of 82, on August 10, 2021, at his home in rural Wadena, MN.

LaVern was born to Vernon and Elfa (Dickhoff) Erkenbrack on December 4, 1938, in Oak Valley Township, Otter Tail County, MN. He graduated with the Wadena High School Class of 1957.

LaVern served stateside in the US Army from November 1961, until his honorable discharge in 1963 at Ft. Hood, TX. LaVern was united in marriage with Karen Louise Reece on July 7, 1962 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena. He was employed as a CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) operator, and retired from Straight River in Park Rapids, MN. He filled his hours away from work with anything pertaining to his passion - farming, and found the time spent with his family to be the most enjoyable time of his life.

Preceding LaVern in death were his parents, Vernon and Elfa; son, Dean; and siblings, Donald and Gene Erkenbrack and Delphine Whaley.

LaVern is survived by his loving wife Karen of Wadena; children, Daniel (Melissa) Erkenbrack and Kimberly (Mark) Wynn, both of Wadena; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and siblings, Dorothy Bounds of Wadena, Ronald Erkenbrack of Bluffton and Marlys (John) Barker of Shakopee.

Honorary pallbearers will be LaVern’s granddaughters and great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be Jacob Dettwiler, Jaden Erkenbrack, Steven Erkenbrack, Jason Reece, Cory Reece, Mike Nelsdon, Doug Nelson and Blaine Erkenbrack.

Military honors provided by MNAGHG.

Burial will be in Leaf River Cemetery, near Wadena, MN.

Arrangements are with the Schuller Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Johnson-Schuller Chapel, Wadena, MN. (www.SchullerFamilyFH.com)