LaVerne Ina Rengo

LaVerne Ina Rengo, age 86, passed away on February 17, 2025, at Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, MN.   

LaVerne was born March 2, 1938 to Isaac and Mayme (Kovala) Heiskala. She grew up in Marengo, WI surrounded by her 7 siblings and a close-knit extended family. She graduated from Ashland High School in 1956 and studied art at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. On July 18, 1959, LaVerne married James Rengo in Floodwood, MN. They settled in Esko, MN, where they raised their three sons. LaVerne loved the time she spent with her family, particularly her grandchildren. She was always close by, watching them grow and offering her support. The addition of 12 great-grandchildren brought her even more love and joy. 

LaVerne used her artistic talents in her jobs at Glass Block and JCPenney creating newspaper ads, but her creativity flourished when a side project making greeting cards grew into Finnish Designs, the business she ran with her husband Jim. LaVerne’s humorous take on Finnish-American life appealed to generations of Finns and non-Finns alike. Her work lives on through greeting cards, calendars, and sauna plaques—including her famous "Sauna Rules", which have educated thousands on the basics of taking a sauna, beginning with the first rule, “sit on top pench at yuu own rdisk”.  

LaVerne loved to travel. She and Jim traveled the country attending Scandinavian festivals and enjoyed extended winter stays in Hawaii, Texas, and Arizona.  She was also a proud member of “The Secret 7”. True to their name, their activities were a mystery to the rest of us, but as lifelong friends they were united by years of laughter, inside jokes, and shenanigans.  

She was preceeded in death by her parents, Isaac and Mayme, siblings Ellen, Arnold, Raymond, Lillian, Marilyn, Jeanette, and Dennis.  

LaVerne is survived by her husband of 65 years, James; sons Jeff (Pam), Dennis (Vicky), and Todd (Sandra); grandchildren Tiia (Bill) Boyer, Kristiina Rengo (Alex Garant), Kevin (Jenna) Rengo, Kelli (Pher) Lois, Matt (Amelia) Rengo, Olivia Rengo (Nate Stewart), Sam Rengo, and Nate Rengo; and twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Barbara Heiskala, Lucy Heiskala, and Renae' LaFriniere; and many brothers and sisters in faith.  

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11 AM at Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, located at 801 14th St., Cloquet, Minnesota; Visitation one hour prior. A lunch reception will follow.   

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Community Memorial Hospital Foundation, 512 Skyline Boulevard, Cloquet, MN 55720.