LaVern Herman August Peper, age 93, of Loganville passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Greenway Manor in Spring Green.  He was born at home in rural Loganville on February 25, 1930, to August and Anna [Hasz] Peper.  It was very rainy. It’s said that he arrived by washing down the hill.  On the day he died, it also rained following a drought in the area, and there were rainbows.  He was the sixth of nine children.

He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at St John Lutheran Church, Tuckertown.  He attended a one-room classroom, Eli Valley School.  He was curious and always had a love of learning.  At an early age, he began to help with the work of the family farm and sawmill.  LaVern enlisted in the US Navy on November 19, 1951.  He attended Boot Camp at Great Lakes, IL.  He served as a Fire Control Technician aboard the LST 1101, USS Saline County, until 1955.  His tours took him to San Diego, Honolulu, South Korea, and Japan.  While he was deployed, both his brother, August Jr, and his father passed away.  After his tours of duty, he returned home and ran the family farm.

He was united in marriage with Adeline Ida Thieding on October 6, 1956, at Zion Stone Church, Rock Springs.  Their marriage was blessed with four children.  Adeline passed away unexpectedly on November 14, 1976.

He was united in marriage with Verdi Mae [Biggers] Klintworth on February 7, 1981, at Monona Lutheran Church in Monona, WI. 

LaVern was an active contributing member of the community.  He served on the boards of RS & L Co-op and Peace Lutheran School.  He was an active member at St John Church where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and served on the Church Council often as President.  He served as the Commander of VFW Post 3434 in Hillpoint for many years, always actively recruiting new members.

In retirement he gardened and sold produce at farmer’s markets in Reedsburg.  He served as a volunteer for the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Sauk County (ADRC) and Reedsburg Area Medical Center (RAMC).  He had fun playing cards, both Euchre and Sheepshead, with local Senior Citizen groups.  He and Verdi liked to travel.  Some of the highlights were trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and Niagara Falls. 

LaVern loved his family.  He enjoyed attending as many of their grandchildren’s activities and sports as possible.  He had a great sense of humor and a beautiful singing voice.  Most of all, LaVern loved his Savior.  He was at peace and reassured of the promise of eternal life in Heaven.

He was preceded in death by his brother August Jr, his parents, his wife Adeline, and other siblings Leonhard, Herold, Raymond, Walter “Slim,” LaVera, George, and many dear in-laws.

He is survived by his wife, Verdi; children Doug Peper, Brian (Katie) Peper, Paul (Linda) Peper, Pamela Peper who served as his caregiver in his final years, Robert Klintworth, Dane (Sarah) Klintworth; grandchildren Aaron (Oxana) Peper, Brittany (Christopher) Cordero, Brandon Peper, Brady (Katherine “Kat”) Peper, Addie Peper (Kyle Adelman), Colton Peper (fiance’ Michaela Miller), Elizabeth “Liz” (Nathan) Sauer, Erica (Alec) Brown, Alex (Karli) Klintworth, and Hannah Klintworth; great grandchildren; sister Mary Ann Koenecke; in-laws Gerald and Margaret [Thieding] Roecker, Bill and Diane Thieding, and Charles Moreland; cousins, nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at St John Lutheran Church in Hillpoint with Pastor James Mumm and Pastor Daniel Lewig officiating.  Visitation will also be held on Monday 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the church.  Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Tuckertown, with military rites.

Thanks to the following for their care and service over the years:  Aveanna Home Health, Agrace Palliative, Agrace Hospice, BrightStar, Greenway Manor, Reedsburg Area Medical Center, UW Health, and the Veterans Administration.

Farber Funeral Home is assisting the family.