LaVern E. Keso, age 79 of Rhinelander, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, at the Friendly Village.  He was born May 19, 1937, in Rhinelander to August and Elsie (Ross) Keso.

LaVern was born into a large family of twelve children. He served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1962.  Following his military service, LaVern returned to Rhinelander where he was employed by Eckert Wrecking and later, in the maintenance department at Friendly Village from where he retired.

LaVern was an avid outdoorsman, especially enjoying hunting and having participated on hunts in Alaska and the Western U.S.  He also liked gardening as well as observing the wildlife that visited his home in Starks.  In later years, he constructed a log cabin on his property entirely by himself which he fondly referred to as the “Lincoln House.”

LaVern is survived by a sister, Beatrice Brenton; nieces, nephews and special friends; Martin “Punk” Dickison, Jim and Linda Anderson and their family and Mary Baker and her family. Although LaVern never married, many children considered him a grandpa and will be his legacy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a special friend, Margie Anderson in 1991; four sisters, Gertrude Gritzmacher, Bertha Keso, Dorothy McRae, and Frieda Fralick and six brothers, Bill, Henry, George, Clarence, Floyd, and Clyde.

A committal service for La Vern will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Forest Home Cemetery where he will rest with his parents and brother, George.  Please meet at the cemetery.  Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414 /www.carlsonfh.com is assisting with arrangements.