Alverna Louise Frances (Koepp) Laabs

Alverna Louise Frances (Koepp) Laabs age 93 of New Prague, MN formerly of Belle Plaine, passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at Praha Village in that community.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 6, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine, MN.   Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 AM at the church, prior to the service.   Interment for Alverna will take place following the service.

Alverna was born in Blakeley township on February 3, 1932, to Clarence and Ann (Blaha) Koepp.

Alverna was baptized, confirmed and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine.

Alverna married Gerhard (Jerry) Laabs on October 26, 1950, together they had three children.   Alverna is a retired farmer, farming for many years in rural Henderson, earlier years with her husband until he passed at a young age and then together with her son.   Alverna also worked many years at Green Giant canning plant, Belleview and Emma Krumbee’s restaurant.

Alverna enjoyed playing cards, traveling to casinos, driving around checking the crops and later years assembling many puzzles.

Alverna is survived by her children, son Richard (AKA Dick) (Patty) Laabs of Belle Plaine, daughters Mary Ann Bigaouette of Belle Plaine and Rita (Ken) Worm of Carver.   Twelve grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren and one great great-granddaughter.  Brothers: Armin (Irene) Koepp, Wesley Koepp and Bill Koepp.   Sisters:  SanaRose (Ron) Krenik, Lynette Koepp and Janel Schmidt.

Alverna is preceded in death by her husband Jerry, grandchildren Melissa Bigaouette and Ryan Laabs, great grandson Kevin Ramirez, son-in-law Mike Bigaouette, brothers: Frederick, Earl, Norman and Rodney Koepp.