LaVerne Charlotte Sillerud

LaVerne Charlotte Sillerud, age 88, of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, August 25, 2016, in Moorhead, MN, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

LaVerne was born on January 21, 1928, to Oscar Adolph and Mearl Lillian (Trane) Aarness near Pelican Rapids, in Norwegian Grove Township. She was baptized and confirmed at North Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Pelican Rapids and attended school district #59.

On September 18, 1949, LaVerne married Clayton Sillerud at North Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. They lived in Barnesville, Pelican Rapids and finally moved to Fergus Falls in 1953. For many years, she worked at Carr and Hanson’s Department Store in Pelican Rapids as a clerk. Later she worked at Rosenblatt’s as a seamstress and also at Norby’s Department Store as a clerk.

LaVerne was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, where she served as a Sunday School teacher. She was also a member of the Homemaker’s Club and volunteered for the Salvation Army, Meals by Wheels, and as a Cub Scout Leader. LaVerne enjoyed sewing and gardening, crocheting and ceramics, as well as travelling to Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Mearl Aarness; her husband, Clayton Sillerud on December 28, 2003; a son, Mark Sillerud in 1980; and four brothers, Mervin, Marlin, Delane and Earl Aarness.

LaVerne is survived by her son, Wayne (Shannon) Sillerud of Moorhead; grandchildren, Adam and Mark Sillerud, both of Minneapolis; two brothers, Vernon (Marilyn) Aarness of LaPine, OR, and Leslie Aarness of Riverton, WY; three sisters, Gloria (Robert) Hanson of Moorhead, Donna (Bob) Carter of Rockford, IL, and Verna (Lee) Hennen of Andover; her sisters-in-law, Donna Aarness of Fergus Falls, Joan Aarness of Austin, TX, and Charlotte Aarness of South Bend, IN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

LaVerne’s family would like to give a special thank you to Hospice of the Red River Valley and Lakeland Hospice. Memorials may be directed to either hospice organization.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Service: 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Tom Peterson
Private Family Interment: Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Fergus Falls, MN
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN