LaVerne Vetter, 76, Garrison, died Monday, November 20th, 2017 in the Garrison Memorial Hospital Nursing Facility. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison. A rosary will be said on Friday, November 24, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 24, 2017 from 5 - 7 p.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison.

LaVerne (Ziegler) Vetter was born to Joseph and Eva (Weiand) Ziegler in a predominately German Catholic area 15 miles south of Beulah, ND. The family spoke only German at home and LeVerne learned English when she started school in Richardton ND. LaVerne graduated from St. Marys High School in 1959. Following graduation, she accepted a position at Fraine Barracks, the ND National Guard Headquarters and later, First National Bank of Bismarck.

LaVerne met Donn Vetter in 1957 during a graduation party for their sisters who were roommates at St. Alexius School of Nursing. The sisters played the role of cupid and Donn and LaVerne were married at St. Mary's Church at the Abbey in Richardton in 1960. They moved to Garrison in 1963 where they raised their six children. LaVerne worked as a day-care provider and during her busiest took care of 13 children in addition to her own. The Vetter household was always VERY lively.

LaVerne was one of the founders of the Garrison/Max Ambulance Service. She served a dual role as EMT and bookkeeper for many years.

Once her children were old enough, LaVerne went back to her banking career and joined Midwest Federal Savings and Loan and later Garrison State Bank. She retired in 2003.

All of her life, she had a special devotion to St. Therese who believed that life presents challenges and opportunities for grace and that God is everywhere – in every situation and person – and in the ordinary and challenging details of life. Despite the hardship presented by Alzheimer's disease, LaVerne's love always showed through.

"I will spend my Heaven doing good upon earth. I will let fall from Heaven a shower of roses."

LaVerne is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Eva Ziegler, her sisters Clara and Irene and brothers Nicholas and Leo. She is survived by her husband Donn and children Terri (Glunn), Paul, Stefanie, Michelle (Bertsch), Jennifer (Johns) and Dawn (Kolden).