LaVerne A. Mahar Costello, age 86 of Minto, North Dakota passed away Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Altru Hospital of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
LaVerne Anne Mahar Costello was born November 29, 1937 in Grafton, North Dakota, the daughter of the late Richard and Sylvia (Wysocki) Mondry. She graduated from Minto High School and attended Moorhead State University. LaVerne was united in marriage to Donald Mahar on July 18, 1956 in Minto, North Dakota. The couple made their home in Minto, Hensel and Cavalier. She worked at Pembina County Memorial Hospital and Wedgewood Manor in Cavalier. In 1988, the couple moved to Grand Forks where she worked for Energy and Environmental Research Center. LaVerne then worked for the Rehab Hospital in Grand Forks in 1992. Donald died January 11, 1996. She continued to make her home Grand Forks. LaVerne was united in marriage to Jim Costello on October 19, 2001. The couple lived on Jim’s family farm where they continued to live until the time of her death.
She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Minto Legion Auxiliary. She loved to play the piano and was the church pianist for over 60 years. She played for many funerals, weddings and the Minto school choir for many years. LaVerne loved to be with her family and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s many events. She loved to go to the lake, loved her flowers and garden. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, reading, doing puzzles and enjoyed listening to Lorie Line.
LaVerne is survived by her husband, Jim Costello, Minto, ND; her children: Terry (Susie) Mahar, Brandon, SD; Dawn (Perry) Lubbers, Casselton, ND; Patti Mahar, Grand Forks, ND; Scott (Michelle) Mahar, Gilbert, AZ; Michael (Angie) Mahar, East Grand Forks, MN; her step-children: Brad (Kathy) Costello, Grand Forks, ND; Maureen (Tom) Price, Tucson, AZ; 17 grandchildren, 24 ½ great grandchildren, and six step grandchildren; her siblings: Harold (Joan) Mondry, Fargo, ND; Richard (Darlene) Mondry, Lake George, MN; Lorraine (Conrad) Dvorak, Quincy, IL; Dianna Bass, Lompoc, CA. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald, grandson Christopher Lubbers and sister Laurel Kruse.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto, ND. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND.
The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the arrangements.