LaVerne Eulalie (Peterson) Hogfeldt

LaVerne Eulalie Hogfeldt, age 96, of Hayward, WI and formerly of Port Wing, WI passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Water’s Edge Senior Living in Hayward. 

LaVerne was born on her grandparent’s farm in Orienta, outside of Port Wing, WI on November 22, 1922.  Her parents were Ernest and Betty (Wigren) Peterson.  LaVerne lived with many family members while she was growing up.  Her parents worked in Chicago, so she lived with Grandma Wigren “Momo” and for three school years with Aunt Anna (Ernie’s sister).  Finally, her mother said, “That’s enough, I miss my girls”.  When LaVerne finished eighth grade, she lived with the Ogren family until her mom bought and operated a bakery.  Betty and LaVerne were so excited to live in town, even though the bakery did not have running water. 

After graduating in 1940, LaVerne moved to Chicago and lived with her Aunt Linnea, her mother’s sister, where she helped care for the children until she turned eighteen.  LaVerne then worked at a factory putting odometers together.  In April of 1941, Ted Hogfeldt who was returning from military service in Texas, convinced LaVerne to return to Port Wing, WI.  LaVerne and Ted were united in marriage on July 11, 1941 at the home of their pastor in Port Wing.  LaVerne worked at her mom’s bakery and Ted kept the telephone service operating on the south shore of Lake Superior.  LaVerne and Ted had their first child, Rich, in 1943.  Ted was called to service for his country and spent a year in Italy during WWII.  By the time Ted returned from service Rich was now two years old.  LaVerne and Ted were both working two jobs.  LaVerne was working in the bakery and mending fishing nets for local commercial fisheries.  In 1949, Donna, their second child was born, and LaVerne started working part time in the Post Office.  She worked there as a clerk for 32 years and then as Postmaster for three years.  In 1952, the Chequamegon Telephone Company was established and Ted and LaVerne sold the telephone business.  LaVerne retired in 1981 and she and Ted moved to Barnes, WI where she took up her passion of quilting.  She moved to Cable, WI in 1997 after the passing of her husband.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ted “Cleaver”; sisters, Betty Helsing and Amy Taipale.

She is survived by her two children, Richard (Sharon) Hogfeldt, Donna (Jim) Hughes; grandchildren, Michael (Lindsay) Hogfeldt of Oulu, WI, Jennifer Hohlfelder of Chippewa Falls, WI, Patrick (Becca) Hughes of St. Paul, MN; great grandchildren, Shayna, Amanda, Caden Hohlfelder, Logan and Odin Hogfeldt and Collin Hughes; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating LaVerne’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at First Lutheran Church in Port Wing with Pastor Nancy Hanson officiating.  A luncheon will follow the service at the church.  A private interment will be in the Port Wing Cemetery at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church in Port Wing or the Port Wing Historical Society.

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