Laverne Joy Doering

LaVerne Joy Doering, age 87, of Correll, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Appleton Area Health- Care Center, surrounded by family, from complications of a stroke.  Visitation will be held 10-11am followed by a memorial service at 11am, Monday, June 6, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in Appleton. Jan Eifeldt will officiate. A reception will follow at Shooters in Appleton. A private, family burial will be held in Appleton City Cemetery.

LaVerne Joy Miller was born on October 15, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was the first daughter of Leslie Vernon and Ina Serafina Miller and was raised on the family farm in Edina, Minnesota. She completed 12 years of elementary and high school education and graduated from Edina-Morningside High School. LaVerne later furthered her education with undergraduate studies and coursework at the University of Minnesota (U of M)-Minneapolis, Willmar Community College, Granite Falls Vo-Tech, U of M-Morris, SW State-Marshall and St. Cloud State.

In 1954, LaVerne moved to San Francisco where she met and married James T. Plemmons and later divorced. She lived in Georgia, South Carolina, Minnesota, California. In 1972, she returned with her children to Minnesota and resided in Correll where her parents lived.  LaVerne was blessed with four children, Dale, Kevin, Ron and Jamie.

In 1978, LaVerne married Ronald Charles Doering and shared 34 years of marriage until his death from cancer in 2012. Ron was a carpenter from Madison, South Dakota, and met LaVerne while he was working on a construction project at the Appleton Hospital. Together they shared many wonderful experiences while raising her children, working side by side on projects and traveling out West and to the Deep South.

Throughout her life, LaVerne worked in many roles as a clerk for motor vehicle registration, insurance claims and purchasing. She was also a legal secretary, office manager, assistant underwriter, nurse’s aide and later became a carpenter’s apprentice with husband Ron. She held public office as the city clerk of Correll and proudly chaired the Correll Centennial Committee where she found a passion for fundraising.

But her most favorite position of her career was her time employed as a library assistant. In December of 1991, she was hired by the Ortonville Public Library, where she started doing everything by hand and graduated up to doing everything on computer. She was already a skilled writer and thoroughly enjoyed helping others find what they needed until her retirement in February of 2009, at age 75, after 18 years of service to the community.

LaVerne Doering continued to be active in retirement, volunteering for the Appleton Public Library and fundraising for the local senior center. She faithfully attended Methodist church services that were held in Correll and Appleton and loved traveling with family members to other places like New Orleans and Branson. She thoroughly enjoyed her independence, raising tomatoes, going to yard sales, collecting books, driving her standard transmission pickup and just visiting with everyone.

Laverne was always so proud of her family, her family history and strong Finnish heritage. She made it a point for us all to know the meaning of the Finnish word, sisu . To the Finnish people, sisu has almost a magical meaning and when translated is defined as: strength of will, determination, perseverance and acting rationally in the face of adversity. This was Mom. She will always be remembered for being such a giving person to those in need and truly making a difference in many lives, including her pets. Blessed be her memory.

LaVerne is survived by her children: Dale (Lori) Plemmons of North Mankato, Kevin (Renee) Plemmons of Appleton, Ron (Keri) Plemmons of Perley, and Jamie Plemmons of Columbia Heights; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Nancy (John) Kelly of New Prague; sisters-in-law: Gayla Doering Kruse, Mary Doering Halter, Dawn Doering-Suter; brother-in-law, John Doering; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Ina Miller; husband, Ron Doering; grandson, Ethan Plemmons; and sister-in-law, Deb Doering Bowman.  Please sign the guestbook at www.zniewskifuneralhome.com