Laverne Marie Peters, 86, passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea. The Rev. Dwight Netzer will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, 2210 E. Main St. in Albert Lea. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Laverne Marie Fleshner was born April 5, 1932, to parents Benny and Hattie (Vietor) Fleshner in Parkersburg, Iowa. She grew up in Parkersburg and graduated high school in 1951. On May 26, 1952, Laverne married Edwin John Peters in Parkersburg. After the tragic deaths of their first two sons — their son, Curtis, was born. He remained the joy of Laverne’s life. Laverne and her husband were married almost 50 years until Edwin’s passing on March 15, 1999.

Laverne dedicated her life to helping the elderly for over 35 years. She started out as a nurse’s assistant, working at Cedar Falls Lutheran Nursing Home for three years. Edwin and Laverne then moved to Albert Lea, where she continued her career at Cornick Nursing Home, Evans Board and Care and owned Golden Age Board and Care until retirement.

Laverne was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Albert Lea Senior Center, American Legion Auxiliary, Eagles club and Modern Woodmen of America. She belonged to First Baptist Church, Central Freeborn Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea.

Family was very important to Laverne. She treasured time spent with family and many phone calls with her grandchildren. Her kind heart will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her son, Curtis Edwin Peters, and his wife, Jenny; granddaughter, Lauren Marie Peters; grandson, Blake Edwin Peters; brother, Larry (Vi) Fleshner; sister, Lois Rieger; and brothers-in-law Ivan (Becky) Peters and Ronald (Sharon) Peters.

Laverne was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin John Peters, at age 68; parents Benny and Hattie Fleshner; sons Ervin John Peters at age 5 and Mervin Edwin Peters at 10 days old; parents-in-law John and Elizabeth Peters; brother, Lee (June) Fleshner; sister, Donna Hanson; brothers-in-law Herbert Peters, Jim (Marian) Bundy, LaVerne Peters, Duane Peters, Donald Peters and Pete (Darla) Peterson; and sisters-in-law Lorraine Peters, Marlys Peterson, Janis Huebner and Lois Muller.