Laverne "Sonny" E. Van De Brake

Laverne “Sonny” “Dutch” E. Van De Brake, 76, of St. Croix Falls, Balsam Lake Township, passed away at his home on Thursday, December 4, 2014.  Laverne was born on November 22, 1938 in Brown County, South Dakota, the son of Edward and Hazel (Waterbury) Van De Brake.

Laverne attended and graduated from Murray High School in St. Paul, MN.  He served in the United States Navy from 1956-1959.  He married Etta Schwanke on August 5, 1961 in Cochrane, WI, and to this union two children were born.  Laverne worked most of his life as a heavy duty truck and trailer mechanic and welder in St. Paul working for International Harvester, Wheel Service Inc., Mastell Trailer Company all in St. Paul and Louis Truck Lines in Blaine.

Laverne leaves to celebrate his memory: his wife, Etta Van De Brake, St. Croix Falls, WI; son, Ed (Melody) Van De Brake, Amery, WI; daughter, Vicky (Dale) Schramm, New Richmond, WI; grandchildren: Angel (Abel) Van De Brake-Galvan, Milliken, CO; Melissa (Justin) Benjamin, De Pere, WI; Christine Van De Brake, Camp Pendleton, CA; Amy Van De Brake, River Falls, WI; great grandchildren: Anthony and A.J. Galvan and Kiarra and Nadyia Van De Brake, brother-in-law, David Schwanke (Susan Squires), Cochrane, WI; and many other loving family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward and his step mother, Phyllis Van De Brake, his mother, Hazel and his step father Everett Blue, and his sister Devonne Novak.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 15, 2014 from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. in the Fireside Room at Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake, WI, and again the next day from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at 11:00 A.M. in the church sanctuary at Faith Lutheran Church Balsam Lake, WI.  Military Honors will be rendered at the church following the service.  The family wishes to invite their guests to join them for lunch and fellowship in the church basement following the services.

Pallbearers will be Dan Hanson, Dave Schwanke, Dale Schramm, Gene Oestreich, Bob Cook and Ted Hansen.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.