LaVerne (South) Whelan

Edith LaVerne Whelan passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, September 28th.

A celebration of life will be 1-3 p.m., Sunday, October 9, 2022 at the Eagles Club, Bemidji.

LaVerne was born April 9,1922 in Wales, North Dakota to Jay and Hannah (Irvine) South. She was part of a family of 11 children and 2 half siblings. The family moved to Bemidji and she attended most of her schooling in the Bemidji area. She was very proud to be a 1940 graduate of Bemidji High School. She met her husband Robert Whelan in Bemidji. Robert went to work at Boeing Airlines in Seattle Washington and LaVerne soon followed him. They were married there in November, 1943. Their first child, Kenneth, was born in Seattle. Soon after they returned to Bemidji and ran the family tavern and had their second child, DixieLee. After a short time in Grand Maris, they decided to move back to Seattle but only made it as far as Kalispell, Montana. Robert bought a car business there and they settled into their new home. They had five more children born in Kalispell. After running 2 different bar/restaurants in neighboring Hungry Horse, Montana, they moved back to the Bemidji area to run a grocery store in the Island Lake area They eventually moved back to the city of Bemidji where she worked at North Country Hospital as housekeeping supervisor. After retirement, she worked at Goldpine Home until her 84th birthday, where she later resided.

LaVerne always enjoyed life and people. She had a smile and hug for everyone and loved to meet new people. She was often referred to as a social butterfly and wanted to make sure everyone was taken care of. She enjoyed quilting, puzzles, going to casinos and especially loved ironing. Her biggest love was her family. She always made time for everyone from children to great-great grandchildren. Laverne turned 100 years old in April which was celebrated with a big party. She was so happy to visit with everyone that could attend. And an even bigger celebration for her was being the Grand Marshall for the School Reunion Parade. She wore a gorgeous pink hat and felt like the queen of Bemidji.

LaVerne is survived by her children: Kenneth (Sharon) Whelan, Dixie Lee (Virgil) Babin, Frederick (Kim) Whelan, Robert (Mary) Whelan, Teri Graves (Buddy Chancellor) and Tama (Fred) Wesely, 97 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, son Bradley, Grandsons Dustin Whelan and James Robert Graves, 1 great-grandchild, parents and siblings.

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