Funeral services for LaVaine G. Raatz, age 67, of Madelia, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. The Rev. Carl Blizzard will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery.

Visitation is one hour prior to the services at Bayview. To sign the guest book, goto www.bayviewfuneral.com

LaVaine died Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, at St. John&8217;s Lutheran Home.

LaVaine George Raatz was born Jan. 19, 1940, to George E. and Wilhelmina I. (Schulz) Raatz in Madelia. He graduated from Truman High School in 1958. LaVaine attended Concordia College in St. Paul and Mankato State University. On June 4, 1961, he was united in marriage to Shirley J. Kent in Lewisville. LaVaine worked at Tony Downs Foods in Madelia. He enjoyed fishing, working on cars, making toys for his grandchildren, and polka music.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Madelia; children: LeRoy (Dawn) Raatz of Truman, Charles Raatz and Gail Johnson of Fairmont, Dennis (Teresa) Raatz of Albert Lea, and Marvin (Suzy) Raatz, also of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Autumn, Briana, Cody, Kaitlyn, Travis, and Megan; sister-in-law Patricia (William) Town; and four nephews.

LaVaine was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Timothy Raatz; brother-in-law, Fred Kent; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law.