LaVerna Splinter, 100, of Tilleda, died on Oct. 20, 2015. She was born in Bowler, the town of Almon, on Aug. 4, 1915, the daughter of the late Fred and Tillie (Nordwig) Kessen. She spent her early years in the Bowler area and attended the Bowler school and Shawano High School.
LaVerna worked for several years at Carley’s Gamble store in Bowler until her marriage. On May 27, 1936, she was united in marriage to Raymond Hoffman, and they made their home in Gresham. Her husband, Raymond, died on Feb. 21, 1962. While living in Gresham, LaVerna was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the Ladies Aid and the church choir. For several years she worked at the D.A. Schmidt Store in Gresham. Later, she worked at the Woodland restaurant, retiring in 1972.
On June 19, 1965, LaVerna was married to Earl Splinter at Zion Lutheran Church in Gresham by Pastor M. Clausen. Earl died on March 10, 2004. They built their home in Tilleda and she continued to live there until the present time. She helped her husband in the maple syrup production and always enjoyed being out in the woods. They were owners of Splinter Paint and Supply until retiring in 1990.
LaVerna loved to work in the garden and enjoyed raising flowers. She also enjoyed playing cards, dancing and reading. She and her husband attended many polka dances and enjoyed listening to polka music. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Tilleda, the Ladies ELCW, choir, served on the church council and was a member of the Tilleda Advancement Club since 1965.
LaVerna is survived by her children, Robert Hoffman, of Appleton, and Karla Kay (Harvey) Spreeman, of Pulaski; nine grandchildren, Brian and Curt Hoffman, Todd, David, Jeff, Chad and Stacy Spreeman, Lisa Hartjes and Kathy Ullmer; 21 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, Raymond Hoffman and Earl Splinter; her daughter-in-law, Mary Hoffman; her parents; two brothers, Kermit and Harris Kessen; two sisters-in-law, Nellie and Elizabeth Kessen; as well as two nephews, Jeff and James Kessen.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, at Peace Lutheran Church in Tilleda with Lay Minister Lois Graper officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.