Luverne Ross

Luverne Ross, age 101, of Crookston, MN, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side.

Luverne Buckman was born on February 5, 1920, in Crookston, MN, the daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Zitzer) Buckman.  She grew up in Crookston, MN, and graduated from Crookston Central High School in 1938.  She worked as an office manager for 7 years before meeting Harold Ross, a farmer from Fisher, MN.  They were married on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1944.  In 1945 they purchased their home on Locken Blvd, just down the street from where she grew up on Groveland.  She was a devoted wife and mother, and they were blessed with 3 children, Bob, Jan, and Marilee.

Above all Luverne loved being a mom and was very creative, putting in a lot of effort to make things “special” for her children.  She did everything from sewing Barbie doll clothes to being Bob’s Cub Scout den mother.  She was more of a baker than a cook and there was never a lack of sweetness in our lives.  Flower gardening and her “critters” brought her much joy and her backyard was her little piece of heaven on earth.  Luverne and Harold’s favorite adventures were family fishing trips to Lake of the Woods, spending time with Bob, Loretta, and the kids, and road trips to see Jan in Colorado.  Sadly, Harold passed away in 1987.  Luverne enjoyed cabin time on Maple Lake, from fishing on the dock with her grandsons, boat rides, and sunning on the deck.    She married Harry Smith in 2000 and they spent 6 happy years together until his passing in 2006.  She was a long-time member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and took part in various women’s groups throughout the years and many of her lifetime friendships evolved from these activities.  She taught Sunday School and was president of the Ladies Aid  for many years.  She was also a member of the Riverview Auxiliary.

Loving family members left to cherish her memory include, her 3 children, Robert Ross, Jan Ross (Sue), and Marilee (Corky) Hanson; 7 grandchildren, Valerie (Randy) Korynta, Natalie (Bobby) Baird, Leah (Jade) Klein, Justin (Sharon) Ross, Wade (Jessie) Hanson, Wes (Crystal) Hanson, and Wyatt Hanson (Emma); 12 great-grandchildren, Ross (Kelli) Korynta, Ryan (Megan) Korynta, Kaia (Lucas) Goodwin, Colton, Carter, and Quinn Winand, Ty (Korissa) Klein, Brady Klein, Vincent and Owen Ross, Cass and Hayden Hanson, and Everett Hanson; and 9 great-great-grandchildren.   She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Buckman; husbands, Harold Ross and Harry Smith; infant son, Danny; great-grandson, Austin Ross; and daughter-in-law, Loretta.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Jodi Jorgenson and Luverne’s caregivers, Rose Mary Avrigo, Lorelei Jorgenson, and Karen Dufault who have become like family to us, as well as to Hospice of the Red River Valley for their excellent and caring service.

Funeral service celebrating Luverne’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 16, 2021, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Crookston, MN, with a time for visitation one hour before the service.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston, MN, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm.  Pastor Steve Bohler will officiate.  Interment will take place at Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston, MN.