LaVerne Evelyn Sommers Locke

LaVerne was born in Republic on September 17, 1934, the second of five children to Evald and Tyyne (Hangas) Sommers. She spent her early years in Republic before moving to Marquette as a young girl. She was a proud graduate of John D. Pierce class of 1952. She graduated from St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing receiving her RN in 1956, the same year she was named “Student Nurse of the Year”.

LaVerne married Ed Locke in 1968 after being introduced by mutual friends Fred and June Rhydhom while both were working at the Huron Mountain Club. Ed and LaVerne lived on Lakewood Lane and were grateful to raise their children Elizabeth and David on the shores of Lake Superior.

LaVerne’s career as a nurse included six years in Ann Arbor as an orthopedic and emergency room nurse at University Hospital. She returned to Marquette and worked in nearly all nursing specialties including operating room, obstetrics, orthopedics, community health and psychiatry. She retired from Marquette General Hospital in 1999 as a night manager of the cardiac unit. Despite being officially retired, she would always remain a nurse and had her stethoscope and first aid kit at the ready.

LaVerne had many talents. Music was a passion; she played the cello and piano and was the first organist and choir director at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. She was a talented cook and baker who loved to make delicious meals for family and friends. Her faith was important to her and following her retirement, she was proud to complete the Lay School for Mission of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the ELCA. For the next several years she preached at churches around the U.P. She was also an avid knitter and many family members and friends were the recipients of her sweaters, mittens, and blankets.

She enjoyed traveling including trips to Scandinavia, Oberammergau Germany, walking tours to Scotland and Cotswold’s in England and twice to Tanzania on church mission trips. Tanzania held a special place in her heart and she became enamored with the people, wildlife, and culture.

LaVerne held many roles in her life, wife, mother, nurse, Girl Scout troop leader, Sunday school teacher, lay preacher, but her favorite was that of Mummu to her grand and great-grandchildren.

In addition to children, Elizabeth and David (Trish); LaVerne is survived by grand-children, Julia, Leighton, Ethan (Ashley), Gabrielle, Nash, Natalie, Joseph, Theresa, and Christianna; great-grandchildren, Arabella and Lilly; sister, Susan Sommers; brother-in-law, John Locke (Cathy); as well as beloved nieces and nephews and special cousin, Ersel (Don) Nichols.

Preceding LaVerne in death include her husband, Edward, her siblings, Lorraine Girslis, David Sommers, John Sommers, and son-in-law, Luc Litwinionek.

LaVerne’s memorial service will take place on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 11:30am at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Marquette. A reception will follow in the church. Interment will be in the Prince of Peace Memorial Garden.

The family would like to thank UP Home Health and Hospice as well as Trillium House for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trillium House or Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting LaVerne’s family where memories and condolences may be shared at fassbenderswansonhansen.com