Laverne Moll, 82

Laverne “Vern” Dale Moll, 82, passed away peacefully in his home on September 26, 2012.

He was born in Alexandria on November 18, 1929 to Irwin and Hulda (Hanson) Moll. Vern was baptized at Fahlun Lutheran Church in Nelson, confirmed at Svea Lutheran Church in Alexandria, where he taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. He graduated from Central High School, as a member of the National Honor Society. He played high school football for three years, also boxing, later in the St. Cloud Golden Gloves.

Before and after graduating he was a member of the Alexandria National Guard. He worked for six summers mowing the greens at the Alexandria Golf Club, also working at Franzen Lumber Company to pay his way through the University of Minnesota. He enrolled at the U of M in 1949.

On September 28, 1951 he married the love of his life, Mary Lou Danielson, at Svea Lutheran Church, officiated by Dr. O.O. Gustafson. They moved to Minneapolis, where Vern later graduated in 1954 from the School of Forestry. They called the U of M Campus their home. While attending school, he worked in the print shop at Donaldson’s. In 1952, Vern had been in the ROTC for two years, but became hospitalized with rheumatic fever and heart murmur. He was discharged from the ROTC.

Following graduation, they moved to Waseca, where Vern was employed at Central Lumber Company. They were blessed with the birth of Lane Dale Moll on December 25, 1955. They later returned to the Twin Cities, where Vern again enrolled at the U of M School of Architecture for two years, also working at the Minnesota Department of Transportation in bridge design. Vern enrolled in the School of Engineering night school for seven years to become a registered civil engineer in 1968. It was in Minneapolis where their precious daughter, Lori Lynn, was born on April 26, 1957.

Vern later transferred to Hennepin County Highway Department in Bridge Construction, and in 1959 began designing and building a large four-level home in Golden Valley on Major Avenue, which was their home for 18 years. He had the help of Mary Lou’s father, Robert Danielson; brother, Stan Moll; and brother-in-law, Dick Danielson. Vern worked for 17 years in bridge engineering at Hennepin County, and in 1970 he was in charge of the Franklin Avenue Bridge reconstruction.

In 1985, Vern had his aortic heart valve replaced at the Mayo Clinic. He recovered very well and continued his life’s work.

Vern later served as county engineer for Douglas, Isanti and Dodge counties, and for three years had his own business, Project Engineering Incorporated, designing more than 100 bridges in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nebraska, where he was registered. When federal and state funding dropped to counties and townships, he returned to Hennepin County Highway Department for a total of 17 years, retiring in 1992 to South Union Lake in Alexandria. For 10 years, Vern cut, split and burned wood in their wood furnace.

Around the year 2000, Vern’s eyesight began declining because of glaucoma and corneal dystrophy. He had a corneal transplant at the U of M more than two years ago. He had lost peripheral vision and depth perception and no longer wanted to drive. He continued to golf with the help of friends in Golden K’s.

Vern had congestive heart failure. He had a defibrillator placed in his chest in 2002 in St. Cloud. In 2008, they moved to Rosewood Lane in Alexandria.

Vern was a member of the Twin Lakes Chapter MSPE, NSPE, U of M Alumni Association, ASCE, Golden Kiwanis, Lion’s Club, Calvary Lutheran Church, and Elim Lutheran Church in Robbinsdale.

His favorite sport was golf. He enjoyed listening to public radio and his favorite CDs: Mozart on his Bose, and being with his loving family.

They had a cottage on South Union Lake for 30 years, where they vacationed in summers when possible. They also traveled and vacationed with their time-shares with a Caribbean cruise, Florida, and other favorite vacation locations in the United States.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Mary Lou of Alexandria; son, Lane (Lorraine) Moll of St. Paul; daughter, Lori (Mark) Behrens of Park Rapids; grandchildren, Calleigh of Minneapolis and Bobby Blanski of New York, Lana, Lauren, Lea and Lara Moll, all of Minneapolis; step-grandchildren, Chris (Kim) Behrens of Alexandria, Angela (Bryan) Thiery of St. Michael; step-great-grandchildren, Kailey and Brendan Behrens of Alexandria; brother, Walter (Yachan) Moll of Simi Valley, CA; sister, Helen (Ron) Shoeneck of Garfield, Lillian Miles of St. Paul; brothers, Dick (Pat) Danielson of San Clemente, CA, Conrad (Carol) Patrick of Oshkosh, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

Vern was preceded in death by his grandson, Luke Moll; parents, Irwin and Hulda; brother, Stan Moll; nephews, David Schoeneck and Jeffrey Moll; and other relatives.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, October 3 with the Rev. Hans Dahl officiating. Music was provided by Kim Byrne. Interment was at Kinkead Cemetery. Casket bearers were Bobby Blanski, Roger Bennett, Jim Danielson, Steve Danielson, Scott Miles, Randy Schoeneck and Kent Patrick. Honorary casket bearers were Mark Behrens, Virgil Batesole, Dick Crown, Bob Engelhardt, John Anderson, Jim Jenson, Jim Hill, Dr. Dick Towner, Ken LeVasseur, Donald Borchert, and all of Vern’s friends in Golden Kiwanis.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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