LaVerne Rosena Barr – Age 79 of Lake, Michigan passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2022. LaVerne was born to parents Clarence and Anna (Charter) Freed in Alma on November 18, 1942. Her first job was working for Wolverine World Wide in Ithaca. She went on to drive school bus for Ithaca Public Schools and later in life became a caregiver to the elderly. She and her husband, Julian Barr, moved to the Lake area in 1994 where they purchased their first home together on Crooked Lake. LaVerne cared for others, she could always be found cooking, baking , canning tomato juice, salsa and spaghetti sauce which she insisted on sharing with family, friends and neighbors. She spent much of her time providing delicious home cooked meals to those who were ill or unable to do so for themselves. A favorite was her huge apple pies, which she would bake in advance, freeze and pull out for special occasions, but most of all she was known for her delicious potato salad. Her favorite place to be was at her home on the lake with her longtime partner Mike Duenas and their 2 labs Princess and Star. She cherished the winters she spent in Arizona with her daughter Becky and all the vacation trips she was invited on with her son Randy and daughter in-law Mary, where she always enjoyed a frozen pina colada. She was a member of the Lake Rod & Gun Club. She was also an avid fan of the Detroit Lions, Michigan State Spartans, and NASCAR.
She is survived by her children, Randy (Mary) Holton, Todd (Tammie) Holton, David Pollock, Tammy (David) Halfmann, and Becky Holton (Craig Zeller), grandchildren Nicole, Brandy, Joshua, Jared, Kyle, Hillary, Courtney, Kody, Kahlin and Shayne, great grandchildren, Savannah, Lillie, Travis and Kash , brothers Elmer (Pat) Freed, Harry (Betty) Freed, sisters Burdell Burch, Lois Gittleman, and Zelma Parks, as well as many other extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Julian Barr, her parents, Clarence and Anna, granddaughter, Sarah Frisbey, brothers Benjamin Freed, Alvin Freed, and Lawrence Freed, and a sister, Josephine Blakeslee.
A funeral service is planned for Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Campbell Funeral Home in Farwell. Pastor Scott Grigonis will officiate. Visitation will be held the evening before on Wednesday, September 7, from 4PM until 8PM. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided for health and safety. Memorial considerations may be made to the Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund Clare in LaVerne’s honor. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest in Garfield Township Cemetery. Please share your memories and condolences with her family online at www.Campbell-fh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Campbell Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
