Memorial services for LaVerne Martin, 80, of Albert Lea, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church.The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery with military honors accorded by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars honor guards. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

LaVerne died on Friday, June 3, 2016, at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea.

LaVerne Martin was born on May 25, 1936, in Dexter, the son of Judene and Mabel (Salisbury) Martin. He grew up in rural Albert Lea and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1954. LaVerne served his country in the Minnesota Army National Guard for six years. LaVerne “Marty” was a member of First Lutheran Church, a past member of the Albert Lea Future Farmers of America and the Albert Lea Technical School farm management, lamb and wool programs. He showed and volunteered for the National Lamb and Wool Show for over 25 years. Marty was national lamb and wool test station manager for 10 years. He was a past member of the Southeast Sheep Producers, the American Dairy Association and the Freeborn County Pork Producers. After he sold the dairy cattle, LaVerne began working at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds parttime. On June 9, 1984, LaVerne was united in marriage to Cindy Grass in Faribault. Marty enjoyed gardening and showing Suffolk sheep at county fairs and the Minnesota State Fair.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy; aunt, Angeline Overland; father-in-law, Jim Grass; brothers and sisters-in-law Buz (Cea) Grass, Julie Grass, Kim Glover and Pete Grass; nephew, Jake (Lindsay) Grass, and their children Madeline, Kaylee and Jeremiah; niece, Mandi (Andy) Resler, and their children Blake and Creedence; and many cousins.

LaVerne was preceded in death by his parents Judene “Jud” and Mabel Martin; mother-in-law, Erliss Grass; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.