LaVerne Marjorie Schifsky

Member: American Legion North
Volunteer: Ramsey 500th Lions Club

LaVerne Marjorie Markgraf (nee Schifsky) was born April 2, 1930 at St. John’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota by parent’s Elsie Verna Trost (nee Markgraf) and Arthur Ferdinand Markgraf. As a child she played basketball, softball, and played piano when she could. Her family grew up on a farm in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, which her Grandpa August Markgraf rented to them. A chore on the farm was to pick potatoes. Then, they rented a house on HWY 95, and the house burned to the ground. Forced to leave, they rented a big garage in Afton and lived in it until her parents could afford to buy a home. Once they saved enough, her parents bought a home on Neal Avenue near Afton. Also, she went to Stillwater High School for two years, and at 16 went to work at Farwell Ozman and Kirk Company (Paint Company). When she turned 18, she applied for a job at the 3M Company where she worked from 1948-1959. LaVerne always said, because of how poor her family was, she vowed that she would never be poor.

In 1948, the next stage of her life, LaVerne met the love of her life, William (Bill) Schifsky, and the two were married on September 30, 1950. Then, just two months later, Bill joined the United States Army and served as a Corporal in the Korean War (stationed in Alaska) from 1950 to 1953. While Bill was in the war, LaVerne visited him a few times. Also, because of the war and the shortage of workers, companies hired the wives of the men serving in the war. Thus, as previously stated, LaVerne began working at the 3M in Minnesota. So, after the war, LaVerne continued to work at 3M and Bill began working at the family’s landscaping and asphalt company again. Later, in 1958, Bill and LaVerne bought their first home at 5494 North Lexington on Turtle Lake (Ramsey County). Then, the following year, LaVerne left 3M and was able to become a stay at home mom. They were an amazing team: LaVerne focused on raising the family, and Bill focus on his work at his family’s asphalt business. In addition, LaVerne made time to volunteer at the American Legion, and North Ramsey 500th Lions Club. Another accomplishment of LaVerne’s was she received a Helen Keller award from the American Legion for gathering used eye glasses for donation to those in need.

In 1967, LaVerne and her husband Bill, and kids moved to a 40 acre farm located on the corner of Centerville Road and County Road J in White Bear Township. Then, in 1971, they decided to move back to Shoreview at a home on Turtle Lake. During their life on the lake, LaVerne and her husband Bill joined the Forest Hills Golf Course and joined a golfing league there. When LaVerne wasn't golfing she could be found at the bowling alley and was even a part of a few leagues. Bill and LaVerne also owned a home with friends in Homosassa Springs, Florida. They sold that home and bought one of their own, a condominium right on the Atlantic Ocean by West Palm Beach on Singer Island. When in Florida, LaVerne and Bill loved to golf and relax at the pool or on the beach (often times with their kids families visiting). In addition to those homes, they owned a summer town home in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota on a channel that connected to Pelican Lake where they loved to sit by the pool, golf and fish; as well as, entertain their kids and their kid’s families. They sold that town home in 2004. Her and Bill worked very hard for the things they had in life. They provided very nicely for their children. More than anything, her family was her pride and joy (i.e. David, Jeffery, Alan, Nicholas, and Judy). She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren with all her heart.

Preceded by parents, Elise Markgraf (Trost), Arthur Markgraf; husband, William F. Schifsky; brothers, Eugene Markgraf, Elden Markgraf, Art Margraf. LaVerne will be dearly missed by; daughter, Judy (“Lou”) Gallagher; sons, David (Judy), Jeffery, Alan (Stephanie), and Nicholas; grandchildren, Bailey & Duncan Potter, Nicole (Rob) Stangler, Sue, Sam, Emma, Lauren, Luke, Ian, and Aislinn; great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Karly, Natalie, Christian, Isaac, Matthew, Nathan, Michael, Jacob, Tyler, and Ava; sister, Donna Lindeman (nee Markgraf), brother, Richard Markgraf, sisters-in-law's, Bernie, Susan, Margo and Fran and many other family and friends.

There will be a gathering for friends and family for the visitation is from 4-7PM on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake with a Prayer Service at 6:30 PM. Then, the funeral is Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 12:00 PM at St. Mary of the Lake Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake, and luncheon follows at St. Mary’s school SE from the church. The St. Mary’s of the Lake cemetery in White Bear Lake follows.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to The Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota North Dakota Chapter: https://www.alz.org/mnnd/

LaVerne’s family is forever grateful for the compassionate care she received in her final days at The Estates of Linden in Stillwater, Minnesota and to Health Partners Hospice.