February 3, 2005 at 7:19 a.m.
LaVerna Koehn
LaVerna Koehn
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert W.F. Koehn (1907-1987), owner of Lindstrom’s Koehn Chevrolet.
LaVerna is deeply loved and missed by daughters: Karen L. Anderson, Barbara K. Baumann and son-in-law, David Baumann; sister, Marian Wahlstrom, of Lakeview Apartments); grandchildren: Leslie Anderson, Cara (Scott) Croonquist, Ryan (Rachel) Anderson, Bradley (Kim) Baumann, and Nathan Anderson; great-grandchildren: Zachary, Ellen Sue, Blake, Jake, Nicholas and Madeline; and also by many nephews, nieces and other wonderful family members and friends.
LaVerna always thought of herself as “one of the Linn girls,” sixth of the eight Linn girls to be born June 20, 1912, to Joseph and Selma (nee Lindgren) Linn on the Marine Road farm, south of Lindstrom. LaVerna and her family grew up by Linn Lake.
“The lake was named after my grandfather, Carl Linn (and his two brothers, John and Peter) who lived near the lake. We spent a lot of time swimming and in the wintertime we would use a pair of homemade skis and our Uncle Luther bought us a toboggan and we would ride that down the hill and just down to Linn Lake.”
LaVerna was proud of her Swedish heritage and her family’s contribution to Chisago County’s history. Her grandfather, Carl Linn, came from Sweden to Chisago County in 1852 and was one of the area’s first settlers. The Karl Oskar House, in Ki Chi Saga Park, is Carl and Lena Kajsa Linn’s former home and LaVerna and sisters: Hattie and Marian were delighted to be there when the King and Queen of Sweden came to visit in 1996.
LaVerna went to a country school called Boo School through eighth grade, sometimes catching rides with the mailman in his little horse-drawn buggy. She went four years to Chisago Lakes High School, took part in the Glee Club, was editor of the school paper and gave the commencement address.
“I had to beg to go to Gustavus (Adolphus College). My parents didn’t have too much money at that time. $500 a year covered tuition, room and board and books. I paid my parents back every cent after I started to work. I wanted to be an English teacher. I belonged to the Delta Phi Sorority. It was during the Depression and times were very hard. I only went two years, before I had to quit.”
After Gustavus, LaVerna went to Calhoun Secretarial College, working as a nanny for her room and board and street car fare.
LaVerna met Robert Koehn when she worked as a secretary for the Land of Lakes Insurance Company. LaVerna and Bob married June 17, 1937, continuing “the Linn girls” tradition of all marrying on June 17. Their first house was one they had built on Maple Street in Lindstrom. LaVerna enjoyed summers at the lake with her family, vacations in Florida, playing bridge, cooking fabulous meals, being a member of the Lindstrom Women’s Study Club, pretending she could swim for her grandchildren, and telling stories about her family––both ancestors and descendants.
LaVerna and Bob were pleased to be long-time members of Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, with her grandparents among the founding members.
“Our family always attended church. Even years back when we were on the farm. I can remember horses pulling a sled across Linn Lake to South Center and up to (Center City) church. The horse had bells on them so you were jingling all the way to church.”
In LaVerna’s words: “I just want to say that I have lived a good life. I have been happy. And I have good family and friends with me.”
Funeral was at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005. Interment at Chisago Lake Hillside Cemetery.
Memorials to Margaret S. Parmly Residence or Chisago Lake Lutheran Church.
LaVerna’s family would like to thank the caring staff at Vindauga View and Parmly for making her feel at home.
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