James Calverley, 1925-2014

Published 9:11 am Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Funeral services for James E. Calverley, 88, of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church Clarks Grove. The Rev. Jamie Cameron will officiate. Interment will be in Conger Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the American Legion and VFW Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

James Calverley

James Calverley

James died at Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health System of Albert Lea.

James Eric Calverley was born Dec. 11, 1925, in Ellendale, the son of Charles and Salome Calverley. He went to school in the Ellendale area and then farmed.

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On Sept. 17, 1944, he was married to Eleanor Christensen. This union bore four children. They lived in the Freeborn County area. James served in the Minnesota State Guard, the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring after 26 1/2 years.

On Aug. 7, 1979, James was married to LaVerne Pritzkau in Michigan. They lived in Michigan where he oversaw an ice arena. They moved to Brainerd in 1979 and James went into insurance sales. Later, they moved again to Farmington, where James worked for AMES Construction in a custodial position. He retired from this job in his 70s. He also worked for the Lakeville School District as a chaperone on school buses with disabled kids. Around 2002 they moved to Albert Lea. James enjoyed fishing, woodworking and spending time with his family. He was a member of the American Legion, the Moose and Eagles clubs, president of the American Baptist Men’s Group and active in First Baptist Church of Clarks Grove.

Survivors include his wife, LaVerne; children Carolyn (David) Hanson, Ame Wiger, James (Amy) Calverley, Mark (Julie) Calverley, Charmaine (Wayne) Sickels, Jerry (Jane) Brandt, Arlie (Sherry) Brandt, Ron (Doris) Brandt, Connie (Mike) Lord and special adopted children Donna and Scott Haukoos; grandchildren Mike (Amy) Hanson, Shelli Hanson (special friend, Robert Rossini), Tim (Tiffany) Hanson, Shawn (Rhonda) Calverley, Jason Calverley, Jason (Tasha) Jasper, Jeremy Calverley (fiance, Christina Carter), Michael (Mariah) Calverley, Jamie Calverley, Jimmy Calverley, Sarah Wiger, Dawn Malakowsky, Sara and Samantha Sickels, Joshua Brandt, Daniel Brandt, Justin Brandt, Crystal McClure, Josh (Kara) Gore, Christine Gore, Lauren Brandt and Adam, Taylor and Alex Lord; great-grandchildren Christopher Dokken, Adison, Hanah and Elle Malakowsky, Jordan, Jeffrey and Lucas McClure, Sam (special friend, Audrey Hanson) and Maddie Hanson, Bryce (special friend, Danielle Olson) and Kara Lynne Hanson, Siri, Jack and Judd Hanson, Ashley (Jorge) Tapia, Gregory (Brooke) and Zachary Calverley, Alexis and Jayda Calverley, Xander, Tucker and Evelyn Calverley, and Maddie, Bailey, Jack and Charlie Jasper; and great-grandchildren Maya and Javier Tapia.

James was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters.