Luverne Alice Toll

Luverne Alice (Franzman) Toll of Blaine died peacefully in her sleep on her 94^th birthday. Born on January 20^th, 1930, to John Franzman and Mabel (Johnson) Franzman, her father and the neighboring midwife delivered her at their farm in Grygla, MN.

Luverne grew up in the small community of Grygla where her church was the center of activity for her family. She attended Greenwood country school until 1940. Then, the family moved to Becker, MN, and Luverne graduated from Becker High School in 1947.

After high school, Luverne obtained an Associate in Education degree from St. Cloud State Teachers College and went on to receive a Teaching Certificate from the State of Minnesota, a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Cloud State College in 1971, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota in 1984.

In her career, Luverne taught elementary students throughout the state of Minnesota which included the cities of Kingston, Two Harbors, and St. Louis Park as well as several schools in the St. Francis School District. The impact she had on her students was evident, for she inspired many lifelong friendships throughout the years.

In 1954 she married Lloyd Toll and together they raised five children. Luverne was the master planner extraordinaire. She loved to create gatherings, both large and small, to celebrate the people in her life. There were parties for birthdays, graduations, retirements, and weddings. Her backyard became the bustling meeting place for night games, volleyball games, and even a pig roast. 

Her morning was not complete without a daily crossword puzzle, and she loved playing cards, bingo, and board games. She usually had a jigsaw puzzle in progress and encouraged others to “put in a piece” when they stopped by to visit.

Luverne was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church in Robbinsdale. At Peace she taught Sunday School, volunteered on various committees, and enjoyed being part of a Bible study group. 

Throughout her life and even up until her last days, she continued to widen her circle of people. She spent meaningful time with her assisted living friends and staff, her neighbors, her family, her teacher pals, church friends and many others. When you shared a cup of coffee with Luverne, she valued every moment with you. From within her caring world, she inspired the goodness in you.

Luverne is preceded in death by her husband Lloyd Toll. She is survived by her children Nancy Roussin, Laurie (Anne), Sharon, David (Annie-Claude), and Michelle (Mike) Prytz. She delighted in each of her grandchildren: Jacob, Melissa, Mark (Katie), Matt (Joy), Emilie (Curt), Lydia (Luke), Molly, and Emmett, and her eyes sparkled in the company of her great-grandchildren Eloise, Teddy, Primrose, Jackson, and Hannah.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 3:30pm at Bradshaw Funeral Home, 4600 Greenhaven Dr., White Bear, MN 55127. A reception precedes the memorial service, beginning at 2:00pm. Private interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.