LaVerne Burton Goodrich, 82, died peacefully, but unexpectedly, of a heart attack at his home on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, with his faithful dog Peanut by his side. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Easton. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday with a prayer service following at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church in Monday. The Rev. Thomas Niehaus will officiate and interment will be at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Barber Township, Faribault County. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

LaVerne was born March 9, 1931, one of eight children to Burton and Mary (Paul) Goodrich in rural Easton. LaVerne attended schools in Easton and Delevan. LaVerne served during the Korean War from April 1953 to April 1955. He attended specialized tank mechanics school in Kentucky and spent the majority of his service stationed at Fort Lewis Army Base in Tacoma, Wash. On June 26, 1954, he married Mary Doyle in Easton. They were the parents of four children, Kipp, Mara, Ona and Charlie. LaVerne married Pat Budach on Feb. 15, 1985, in Easton being happily married for 28 years.

LaVerne farmed in the Easton and Wells area his entire life. His love of farming extended to his son Kipp — he expressed “picking corn” as being one of his happiest times farming. LaVerne retired from farming 11 years ago. His hobby in retirement was woodworking — making many items he created himself. He also enjoyed riding his John Deere Gator around the area checking the crops and visiting with neighbors and friends — always having his loyal companion Peanut by his side. LaVerne was a member of 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, American Legion and A.A.

LaVerne is survived by his wife, Pat; two daughters Mara (Tim) Donohue of Cleveland, Ohio, and Ona (John) Emery of  Petaluma, Calif.; one son, Charlie and Debbie (Jacobson) Goodrich of Sammamish, Wash.; three brothers Dean Goodrich of Mankato, Byron and Norma (Krohnberg) Goodrich of Mankato and Gary and Shirley (Martin) Goodrich of Blue Earth; three sisters Audrey (Goodrich) and Jim Esser of Mankato, Margie (Goodrich) and Vince Hansen of Des Moines and Valerie (Goodrich) Smith and fiancé Tom Rheaume of North Mankato; daughter-in-law, Colleen (Massop Goodrich) Lindemann of Mapleton; four granddaughters Sarah (Goodrich) and Josh Isebrand of Mapleton, Megan (Goodrich) and Andy Birr of Mapleton, Amanda (Goodrich) and Brett Eehoff of Mankato and Lauren Goodrich of Sammamish; four step-children Deb (Budach) and Steve Delger of Glenville, Mike and Diane (Keefe) Budach of Mankato, Dan and Jill (Markley) Budach of Buffalo Lake and Greg and Michelle (Dauer) Budach of Janesville; six great-grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Burton Goodrich on June 2, 1991, and Mary Goodrich on Sep 6, 1999; son, Kipp Goodrich, on June 4, 2001; brother, Darwin Goodrich, on Aug. 10, 2013; brother-in-law, Del Smith, Feb. 28, 2009; sister-in-law, Dolores (Perrizo) Goodrich, April 23, 2011.

Memorials are preferred to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 27 Main St., Easton, MN 56025 or the American Heart Association, 4701 W 77th St., Minneapolis, MN 55435.