LaVerne Arhart, age 75 of Alpena, died Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls from complications of a brain tumor. His memorial service was held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 17th, at Bethesda Church with Rev. Roy Burket, officiating. A private family burial was held later. Memorials are preferred with LaVerne's choice being the Lakota Nazarene Church at Wounded Knee with Pastor Cecelia Spotted Bear. LaVerne had a passion for Pastor Cecelia and her work at her church. He made numerous trips with others delivering necessary items.
LaVerne Arhart was born April 28, 1939, to Alfred and Clara (Feistner) Arhart. He attended country school and graduated from Lane High School. He attended Ag School at South Dakota State University for two years, and spent several years in the South Dakota National Guard.
On November 24, 1967, LaVerne married Judy Summers. They farmed with his brother, LeRoy Arhart and step-father, Leonard Sheffield for many years.
LaVerne was active in the community by serving on the school board and church boards for many years. He was a loving husband and father who loved his children's mates like his own children. He especially adored his eleven grandchildren. LaVerne loved God, his family, and farming.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Judy Arhart; two daughters, Ellie (Kenny) Kleinsasser and Vicky (Brent) Schneider; two sons, Andrew (Melissa) Arhart and Jonathan (Joy) Arhart; eleven grandchildren, Zach, Nick, Ben, and Ty Kleinsasser, Jacob, Abbie and Julia Schneider, and Anna, Wyatt, Josie, and Will Arhart; one brother, LeRoy (Phyllis) Arhart, two sisters, Alice (Gene) Olson and Agnes (Richard) Ekstrum; one half-sister, Diane (Harlan) Thompson; one sister-in-law, Karen Groves; one brother-in-law, Dan (Linda) Summers; his step mother-in-law, Jane Summers; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father; his parents-in-law, Lloyd and Lois Summers; sister-in-law, Sherrill Klakulak; and brother-in-law, Darrell Groves.