LAVERNE G. GOLDEN WACONIA, MN (formerly of Racine) - Laverne G. Golden, passed away on July 30, 2014, three days past her 95th birthday. Laverne was born on July 27, 1919, the 10th of 11 children in the Kosterman family. She attended St. Mary’s grade school, where she met a boy who would become the love of her life—Steve Golden. They both attended St. Catherine’s High School and later married in January, 1951. They raised their family in Racine, and were former members of St. Edward’s Church. They moved to Minnesota in 2000 to be closer to their daughter. Laverne was small in stature, but large in spirit. She loved music and movies, and was an avid reader and ardent baseball fan. She kept an impeccable home, and was a talented gardener. Her immaculate lawn and flower gardens transformed her yard into a place of peace and beauty, the perfect spot to spend a summer afternoon. She found joy in simple pleasures, and taught her children the value of contentment, compassion, and gratitude. She inspired her family with the depth of her courage, meeting the challenges of her life with faith and optimism. We’ll miss her loving presence in our lives. Laverne was happiest when she was surrounded by family. She was a beloved daughter and sister, a devoted wife and mother, a loving grandmother, aunt, and friend. With her passing, her entire family is reunited in heaven. There to greet her, were her loving husband of 54 years, Steve; her parents, Charles and Catherine (Komes) Kosterman; her sisters, Verna (Ed) Maller, Ruth (Ed) Small, Marie (Feny) Ruffalo, Dorothy (Clarence) Cook, Caroline (Howard) Buehler, Bernice (Ed) Zens, and Rita (George) Murphy; and her brothers, Norbert Kosterman, Raymond (Ethel) Kosterman, and Charles Kosterman. She was also welcomed by her husband’s parents, Mary (Cancannon) and Steve Golden, Sr.; and sisters-in-law, Gloria (Ed) Anderson, Patricia (Robert) Jones, and Regina (Neil) Driscoll. Left to cherish her memory, are her son, Stephen A. Golden, of Hercules, California; daughter, Julie Golden, son-in-law Denis Halleron, and the light of her life, grandson, Brendan Halleron, of Waconia, MN; sister-in-law, Margaret Mary Kosterman, of Racine; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. A service celebrating and honoring Laverne’s life will be held at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, (1401 Grove Avenue) on Friday, September 19, 2014, at 10 am. There will be a visitation at church preceding the service at 9 am. Laverne will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Old Holy Cross Cemetery (2530 Kinzie Avenue) immediately following the mass. Memorials are suggested to St. Catherine’s High School or St. Edward’s Church. Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory 4600 County Line Rd. Mt. Pleasant, WI 53403 552-9000 www.draeger-langendorf.com