LaVera Droege

Obituary

LaVera Lee Droege was born on August 4, 1936, in Portland, Oregon. She was the daughter of Thomas and Gladys (Hamilton) Salmon. LaVera was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in her faith at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. She received her education in Hutchinson and was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1955.

On July 2, 1955, LaVera was united in marriage to Stanley Droege by Rev. E.H. Spaude at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. After their marriage, the couple resided in Hutchinson, Dassel, Darwin, Alexandria and Glencoe, Minnesota. Their marriage of 58 years was blessed with loving children, Lynn, Michael, Teal, Cathy, Lori and Thomas.

LaVera and Stanley were charter members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Ellsworth Township and she was a current member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe.

As a youth, LaVera enjoyed roller-skating and marched in the Rose festival parade in Portland. She also enjoyed fishing, swimming, sewing, collecting recipes and all animals. After raising her family, she worked for a time in a local deli and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the customers and trying out new recipes that she made for the deli. Most importantly, she cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

LaVera passed away at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at the age of 82 years, 3 months, and 17 days.

Blessed be her memory.

LaVera is survived by her:
Children, Lynn Riebe of Litchfield, MN,
Michael Droege and his wife, August of Livermore, CA,
Teal Johnson and her husband, David of Chaska, MN,
Cathy Nelson and her husband, Duane of Wyoming, MN,
Lori Peterson and her husband, Kevin of Glencoe, MN, and
Thomas Droege and his wife Pamela of Apple Valley, MN;
Grandchildren, Jennifer Toepper and her husband, Doug, Tim Nelson, Scott Nelson and Laura Rodriquez, Michael Nelson and Melissa Miller, Kyle Peterson and Laurissa Flannery, Leah Peterson, Daniel Droege and his wife, Jessica, Matthew Droege, Blake Droege, Ben Droege, Peter Johnson, Tony Johnson and his wife, Drew, Paul Johnson, Britany Smith and her husband, Tyler, Jamie Holzer and her husband, Jon, Jackie Peterson-Riebe, Danielle VanderPloeg and her husband, Craig;
Great Grandchildren, Mackenzie and Jacob Nelson, Cooper and Adyson Toepper, Bryant, Bailee, Quinton and Maci Peterson, Joshua and Lilly Holzer, Chayton, Prestin, Teyah, Farrah Peterson-Riebe, Mekai and Jazlyn VanderPloeg;
Sister, Patricia Goebel of Seattle, WA;
Nieces, Nephews, other relatives and friends.

LaVera was preceded in death by her Parents, Thomas and Gladys Salmon; Husband, Stanley Droege, and Brother, Frank (Lisa) Salmon, Brother-in-law, Robert Goebel.