In Memoriam ~ LaVerne Diethelm

LaVerne Diethelm
Grandmother of Lizzie and Joey Diethelm ’25

LaVerne Barbara Diethelm (nee Logelin), formerly of Watertown, MN, passed away on August 10, 2024, at All Saints Senior Living in Shakopee, at the age of 94. Preceded in death by husband (Joe Sr.), parents George L. “Tip” and Anne Logelin, brother-in-law Robert Klick, and all of Joe’s siblings. 

LaVerne was born on Nov. 11, 1929, in St. Bonifacius, MN. She attended St. Boniface Catholic School and graduated from Mound Westonka High School in 1947.

LaVerne had a great passion for music and started singing on stage at age 8 with her sister Annabelle (age 10); their first gig was singing at the St. Boni ballpark for an audience of 1,000. After that, the “Logelin Sisters” were asked to sing and dance at local events. After high school, LaVerne and Annabelle continued singing and dancing, performing with the Minnetonka Singers, later adding sister Marilyn to round out the trio. LaVerne also enjoyed traveling, and before she was married took trips with friends to both the east and west coasts of the U.S.

It was also through music that LaVerne met her future husband, Joseph William Diethelm (son of Anton and Ida [Wirtz] Diethelm), in the choir loft at St. Boni church on a very Good Friday.

LaVerne and Joe married on October 11, 1952, and moved to Watertown, where Joe was a respected science and music teacher and school administrator. After working at Minnesota Mutual Ins. Co. in downtown Minneapolis, LaVerne devoted herself to a career of wife and mother of four children, Joe Jr., Barb, Carol, and Paul. And as a teacher’s wife, she treasured the friendships and gatherings of the Watertown-Mayer school faculty, who became like a second family to her.

The young family traveled on many road trips throughout the United States. After Joe’s tragic death in 1980, LaVerne continued to travel, swapping car trips for airplane flights—with her favorite destination being Paris.

LaVerne was involved in church and civic activities throughout her adult life, working as an election judge, ushering at the Guthrie Theatre, phoning volunteers for Meals on Wheels, serving on the Watertown Area Fine Arts Council, and coordinating the Eucharistic Ministers for the homebound for Immaculate Conception Church, among other volunteer activities. LaVerne was also involved in her ecumenical Bible study group for many years.

LaVerne always supported and was proud of her children’s school activities—from music to academics to athletics. She continued to enjoy her adult children’s musical endeavors—genres from classical to rock, polka to sacred—throughout their adult lives. And when there was good dance music playing, it was futile to try to keep her sitting down. LaVerne also enjoyed the blessing of grandchildren in her life.

Survived by children Joe Jr (Cilla) Diethelm, Barb (Steve) Farrell, Carol Diethelm, and Paul (Julie) Diethelm; grandchildren Katie Farrell and Patrick (Laura) Farrell, Joey and Lizzy Diethelm, John and Clare Jodzio, and great-grandchildren Garrett and Calla McDermott and Theo Jodzio; sisters Annabelle (Ken) Ess, Marilyn (Patrick) Maloney, and Carol Klick.

At this time when Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown is closed for renovation, the Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Boniface Catholic Church (4025 Main Street) in St. Bonifacius with Father Peter Hughes as Celebrant of the Mass. Visitation from 9:30 A.M. until the time of Mass at church on Tuesday. Interment Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown.