LaVerne Marie Chesney of Owatonna passed away March 4, 2011 on her 80th birthday, at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, AZ. She was born on March 4, 1931 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Charles and Marie Shumila, and moved to Owatonna, MN when she was a teenager. On October 13, 1949, she married Paul Stephen Chesney. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and VFW Ladies Auxiliary. LaVerne enjoyed playing bingo, planting flowers, playing slot machines and sipping vodka tonics. Being diagnosed with lung cancer 6 years ago did not stop her from living life as best she could. She was a strong spirited woman and a wonderful Mom and grandmother who loved spending time with her family. Mom, you will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Left behind are her daughters Jackie (Denny) Hand of Tucson, AZ, Denise (Gary) Miller of Owatonna, MN and her son Doug (Marcia) Chesney of Tempe, AZ. Also left behind are her brother-in-law Terry (Vicky) Chesney of Mankato, MN, five grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her husband. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 16, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Thursday, March 17, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM . Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Michaelson Funeral Home with The Reverend Edward McGrath officiating. Interment will be in the Owatonna Memorial Gardens in Owatonna. Visitation: 03/16/2011 17:00 03/17/2011 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service. 03/17/2011 10:00