LaVera Emma Anna (Kruse) Puhrmann was born Nov. 24, 1925, at home in Granville, O’Brien County, Caledonia Township to J.W. and Ida (Pauling) Kruse.
LaVera passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the age of 100 years, five months and 21 days. She was baptized Dec.13, 1925, and confirmed April 29, 1939, at St. John Lutheran Church in Germantown. Her confirmation verse was Isaiah 54:16.
She attended St. John School in Germantown and spent numerous hours helping neighbor families with household tasks and also helped her parents on the farm where she and her siblings grew up.
On Nov. 13, 1949, she married Clifford Puhrmann. They made their home on the Puhrmann farm north of Cleghorn. The couple retired and moved to Germantown in August 1989.
She dedicated her life as a farm wife raising their family of six children. She enjoyed gardening, canning, quilting and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spent many hours attending their school events as well. She was a substitute cook at Cleghorn school as needed. LaVera was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Germantown and was involved in PTL, Silver and Gold and Ladies Aid where she served in different offices. She also spent much time quilting there for missions. LaVera served as janitor at church for 13 years.
LaVera was blessed with six children: Dale (Margo) Puhrmann of Destin, Fla.; Jean (Al) King of Le Mars; Sharon (Dan) Johnson of Marcus; Shirley Korleski (fiancé Douglas Dirks) of Meriden; Paul (Donna) Puhrmann of Cleghorn; and Joyce (Kurt) Rasmus of Holstein.
She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Aaron (Brittany) Puhrmann, Janelle (Mike) Sperry, Ryan (Magness) Puhrmann, David (McKenzie) King, Christopher (Jamie) Johnson, Kari (John) Reisz, Brent (Alicia) Johnson, Kyle (Erin) Johnson, Shelly (Jesse) Pick, Dustin (Missy) Puhrmann, Chad (Heather) Puhrmann, Nichol Puhrmann, Rusty (Tally) Rasmus, Cody (Angie) Rasmus and Kayla (Lance) Waller; step-grandchildren: Mike, Tony and Margie King; great-grandchildren: Colin, Carson, Jacob and Tori Pick; Gunner, Gage and Gabby Johnson; Weston, Kennedi, Kaylie, Wyatt and Wylie Reisz; John and Sarah Puhrmann; Jillian and August Puhrmann; Eva, Tenleigh and Kymber Johnson; Hadley, Everett and Lainey Johnson; Lincoln, Paxton, Kenlin and Annison Rasmus; Preston and Payton Rasmus; Jase and Bo Waller; Logan, Landon and Hayden Miranda; Grayson and Adalynn King; and Timmy Loraditch, Kai Puhrmann and Emmett, Lily and Liam Puhrmann; step great-grandchildren: Stephanie King (Jeff Sinsley); great-great grandchildren, Harper and Landon Sinsley; also other relatives and friends.
LaVera was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law; husband Clifford; sister Leona Herzberg; brothers, Lorenz and Leslie Kruse; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Lucille Kruse and Elmer Herzberg; grandchildren, Kelly and David Burmakow; and grandson-in-law Freddy Miranda.
