LaVerne Bruess, 92

Jan. 4, 1945 -

May 14, 2024

 

CRESCO - LaVerne Marie Bruess, age 92, of Cresco, IA, formerly of Protivin, IA, died Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Regional Health Services of Howard County with her family by her side.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2024 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin with Fr. Nick Radloff presiding.  

LaVerne Marie Sabelka was born on May 3, 1932, daughter of Michael and Helen (Polansky) Sabelka in Spillville, IA.  She attended school thru 10th grade at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in Spillville, and completed high school at Mt. Mercy Academy, Cedar Rapids, IA, graduating in 1950.  On August 6, 1951, LaVerne married Cornell Bruess at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville.  Together the couple farmed in the Protivin and Lourdes area for 40 years.  In 1987 they moved to Cresco.  For 18 years, LaVerne worked as the dough master at Pizza Hut.  She ended her career at the age of 81 when Pizza Hut closed its doors. 

LaVerne was a huge fan of baseball.  Throughout her life she visited all 30 baseball stadiums in the USA and Canada.  She especially liked watching games at the Protivin ball park during the summer.  LaVerne was part of the Czech Days softball committee for several years.  She was a member of the Domestic Executives and Happy Hookers (a knit/crochet club started years ago near Lourdes).  She enjoyed crocheting name doilies, and sent them to people all over the world.  She also liked to play cards, listen to polka music, make greeting cards, and participating in local gambling sports pools.  LaVerne would occasionally visit the casino and try her luck. LaVerne and Cornell helped to start the Knights of Columbus turtle stew supper.  She was known for her tall meringue pies, rosettes, and poppy seed cake.        

LaVerne is survived by her four children, Karen (Mary Chval) Bruess of Cedar Rapids, IA, Linda (Rich) Lechtenberg of New Hampton, IA, Jean Ann (Dean Rue) Bruess of Madison, WI, and Charles (Angie) Bruess of Trivoli, IL; daughter-in-law, Jill Bruess of Cedar Falls, IA; seven grandchildren, Matthew Lechtenberg, Samuel Lechtenberg, Megan (Jeff) Nesvik, Chas (Sami) Bruess, Chris Bruess, John Bruess, Jalynn (Tanner) Roberts; great grandchildren, Alice Bruess, Calvin Nesvik, Colton Bruess, and Nora Nesvik; two brothers Linus (Doris) Sabelka and Leon (Elaine) Sabelka; and three sisters-in-law Sandy Sabelka, Marilyn Sabelk and Mary Lou Bruess

She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Helen Sabelka, husband, Cornell Bruess on September 25, 1990; six children, Patricia, Kenneth, Mary Jo, Gerald, Steven, and Michael, and two brothers LeRoy Sabelka and Larry Sabelka.