LaVerne Marilyn Holden Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

LaVerne Holden passed away on June 30, 2016 after a brief battle with cancer. She died in her home surrounded by her loved ones and under the care of Flambeau Home Health and Hospice. LaVerne Marilyn Hataj was born in Chicago, IL on January 12, 1931, the daughter of Frank Hataj and Edna Dahlen Hataj Skozen. Her early life and schooling were in Chicago where she graduated from Steinmetz High School in 1948. At the age of 17 she visited an aunt in Phillips, WI who was living in the third floor apartment of the home of Ole and Jenny Peterson and it is there that she met their son, John Peterson. John and LaVerne were married on October 23, 1948. They started their family in Phillips and moved to Park Falls in 1953 where together they established the John Peterson Lumber Company, built their family home and raised their six children. After John’s passing in 1973, LaVerne continued her entrepreneurial spirit. Her first solo business venture was Peterson of Park Falls Realtors. She met Keith Holden and they married on September 11, 1976. Together they tackled the independent business world as owners and operators of Kentucky Fried Chicken, The Clothes Closet, Sew What Fabrics and Screen Graphics. In their retired years, LaVerne and Keith enjoyed spending summers at their home on the Flambeau River in Park Falls and winters in Fountain Hills, AZ. They treasured time with family and friends, enjoying an active social life, which included golf outings, cabin weekends, cocktail and dinner parties, Taco Tuesday and Friday Fish Fry. Her interests and hobbies were knitting (including making hats for newborns), being an avid sportswoman and volunteering at the Fountain Hills medical clinic, Peace Lutheran Church in Park Falls and various other community organizations. LaVerne was proud to be the first woman serving on the North Central Technical Institute Board of Directors, including four years as president. LaVerne is survived by her husband Keith Holden. Five daughters: Joyce (Gary) Christopherson of Medford, WI; Janet Peterson (Jamie Cady) of Washington, DC; JoAnn (Terry) Ides of Fifield, WI; Julie Peterson (George Andrade) of North Fort Myers, FL; Jean (Michael) Gottwald of Park Falls, WI; and John Peterson of Ladysmith, WI. Also, ten grandchildren: John (Madelyn), Connie (fiancé Bill), Darin (Lindsey), Kristofer (Christine), Kaleb (Rebecca), Kathryn (Josh), Karlie (William), Rebecca (Bryan), Naomi (Jonathan) and John. Five greatgrandchildren: Bradey, Lillian, Eleanor, Aliya and Drew. She is also survived by four step-children: Nancy (Jerry) Raivala, Susan (Timothy) Stolts, William (Camille, deceased) Holden and Michael (Larissa) Holden; eleven step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law (Ruth Schumann and Nona Hataj) and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, first husband John Peterson, brother Richard Hataj and step-son James Holden. Services will be held at Peace Lutheran Church in Park Falls on Saturday, July 9th at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. at the church. A luncheon will be served by Peace Women after the service. Memorials can be sent to Peace Lutheran Church or Flambeau Home Health and Hospice. It was LaVerne’s wish to pass along her thanks to her husband, family and friends for the part they each had in the amazing journey that was her life.

LaVerne Marilyn Holden

January 12, 1931 - June 30, 2016