LaVerne J. Weinfurter, 89, of the Town of Sherry, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday morning, February 8, 2026, with his family by his side.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 13, at St. John Lutheran Church in Auburndale, with Pastor Mark Lundgren officiating. Military rites will follow at the church, with a procession to Fairview Cemetery in Sherry. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.

LaVerne was born August 6, 1936, at the family home in Sherry to Ignatz and Anna (Altmann) Weinfurter. He lost his mother at almost two years old and his father at nearly four years old, and he and his siblings were raised on the family farm by their older brother, Raymond. LaVerne attended Auburndale schools and graduated in 1954. That same year, he joined the United States Army, serving in Germany as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator, and was honorably discharged in 1956.

On September 24, 1960, LaVerne married Joan DeBoer at St. Kilian Catholic Church in Blenker. Together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and community.

LaVerne first worked for Becker Trucking and later began a long career with the Port Edwards Paper Mill, where he worked for 36 years before retiring in 1996. During those years, LaVerne and Joan also took over the family farm, raising a dairy herd and later converting to beef cattle after their children were grown. A hardworking man, LaVerne still found time to coach Little League when his children were young.

In retirement, LaVerne embraced his role as a proud and devoted grandfather. His favorite pastime with the kids was playing card and board games, along with enjoying many outdoor activities together. He rarely missed his grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's events and was a familiar face in the Auburndale bleachers. He spent countless hours with his grandchildren, always showing them gentle kindness, steady encouragement, and a deep, unconditional love that made each of them feel special and cherished. LaVerne was known for his wit and great sense of humor, bringing smiles and laughter to those around him.

LaVerne and Joan enjoyed traveling in their later years, visiting places such as Alaska, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Hawaii, Branson, and Nashville.

LaVerne is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan and children: Gregory (Karleen) Weinfurter, Debra (Tom) Seidl, and Chad (Jo Ann) Weinfurter, all of Auburndale. He is further survived by 9 grandchildren: Kristen (Jason) Peirce, Mindy (Connor Brock) Plaszcz, Kayla (Jonny) Schultz, Alyssa (Tim) Quinlan, Tad (Jordyn Kramer) Guldan, Daniel (Miranda Baierl) Weinfurter, Caleb Weinfurter, Cooper (Isabelle) Weinfurter, and Caden Weinfurter; 17 great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Nolan, Griffin, and Violet Peirce, Oliver & Teddy Plaszcz, Josephine Brock, Franklin, Charlie, and Evelyn Schultz, Declan, Watson, and Foster Quinlan, Ezra & Bennett Guldan, and Peyton & Baya Weinfurter. He is also survived by daughter-in-law Susan Snortheim, and sisters-in-law Marlene & Donna DeBoer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Gary Weinfurter, and the following siblings: Carl (Ethel) Weinfurter, Sylvester (Genevieve) Weinfurter, Hilary (Arlene) Weinfurter, Mary (Jim) Cummings, Raymond Weinfurter, Ida (Edward) Klawikowski, Rita (Frank) Kundinger, Evelyn (Emery) Dobbs, Helen (wid. James Pazurek) (Jerry) Capek, Bernice (Robert) Schroedel, Virgie (Joe) See, Violet (Peter) Weiler, infant Delores Weinfurter, and Leo (Lydia) Weinfurter. He is also predeceased by brothers-in-law John, Ronald, and William DeBoer.