On July 22, 2025, heavenly angels came to take Laverne Joseph Massman, age 96, of Caledonia Minn., to his eternal home, where he will now be reunited with his wife of 70 years, Julia, and many other family members awaiting his arrival. Laverne passed away peacefully, at Claddagh Senior Living, surrounded by the love of his children and family and the Claddagh and St. Croix care teams.
Born March 14, 1929, near Ossian, in Military Township (Winneshiek County), Iowa, he was the firstborn of nine children to Frank and Lucy (Backes) Massman. He attended St. Mary’s parochial school in Festina, Iowa through grade eight, then Calmar High School, where he was a letterman in baseball and football and participated in many school activities including FFA, newspaper and yearbook staffs and senior class play, as well as 4-H. After graduation in 1948, he embarked on his chosen career, a farmer.
He met Julia Malanaphy (Decorah, Iowa) through high school and 4-H, fell in love, and married June 20, 1951. They initially set out to farm and begin their family on property near Ridgeway, Iowa, where nine siblings were born. Then, in 1961, they moved their growing family to Caledonia and eventually settled on Beaver Ridge where they ran a family farm business and raised their 13 children.
As a farmer, some of Laverne’s most proud moments involved his children competing and showing dairy cattle, hogs, and horses, as well as gardening and homemaking items at the Houston County Fair. As their children grew to become significant farm and home helpers, Laverne also worked night shift at Trane Company in La Crosse, then transitioned to a very successful second career in sales, receiving numerous achievement citations and awards including trips with Julia to Hawaii and Europe.
Laverne loved to play euchre, anytime, and has passed his love of the game on to generations! He also enjoyed golf and the annual family deer hunting season – oh, the stories and the sausage making! As a devout Catholic, he passed along faith, love and good values. He had a passion for democracy, inspired by his Christian faith, and he regularly participated at local government meetings and elections. He and Julia traveled many miles in support of their children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and school activities. Laverne and family always enjoyed looking out over their land and seeing the fruits of their labor just before harvest time. In retirement, Laverne and Julia continued to support the Caledonia Warriors, enjoyed cross-country road trips and daily lunch at local restaurants. Laverne beamed with pride at being a grandpa and great-grandpa!
Laverne is survived by his 13 children: Terry, Gary (Judy), Julie (Kevin) Burnett, Steve, Randy, Diane, Laverne (Lisa), Lori Cain, Janet (Arnold) Mindham, Ron (Cheryl), Matt (Christopher Solheid), Rich (Michelle), and Amy; 28 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses Francis and JoAnn Massman, Albin Massman, Sr Marian Massman FSPA, and Leo Massman; sister-in-law Phyllis Massman and brother-in-law Lowell Loesch. He is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Laverne was preceded in death by his beloved wife Julia, grandson Oliver, great-granddaughter Purity Rose, his parents Frank and Lucy Massman; siblings Don Massman, Cynthia Tillman, Helen Loesch and James Massman; his brothers and sisters-in-law Verna Massman, Robert Tillman and Barb Massman; his father-in-law and mother-in-law James and Dorothy Malanaphy; his brothers- and sisters-in-law Betty and Glen Martin; Joyce Lynch, John and Jannan Malanaphy, Jim and Jean Malanaphy, Dorothy and Jack Kendall, and Mary and Leo Manning; and nine nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 28 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 513 S Pine St, Caledonia, MN, with Father Greg Leif presiding. Visitation will precede the Mass, from 9:30-10:45 at the adjacent St. Mary’s Holy Family Hall.
The family specially thanks the entire Claddagh team who lovingly cared for Dad in his later years, and the St. Croix hospice team for their wonderful care in his last months.
Cards and memorials may be sent to his family in care of: McCormick Funeral Home, 205 East Main Street, Caledonia, MN 55921.
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