James Eric Calverley

James Eric Calverley was born on December 11, 1925 in Ellendale, the son of Charles and Salome Calverley. He went to school in the Ellendale area, and then farmed. On September 17, 1944 he was married to Eleanor Christensen. This union bore four children. They lived in the Freeborn County area. James served in the Minnesota State Guard, the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring after 26 ½ years. On August 7, 1979 James was married to LaVerne Pritzkau in Michigan. They lived in Michigan where he oversaw an ice arena. They moved to Brainerd, MN in 1979 and James went into insurance sales. Later, they moved again, to Farmington, MN where James worked for AMES Construction in a custodial position. He retired from this job in his 70’s. He also worked for the Lakeville School District as a chaperone on school busses with disabled kids. Around 2002 they moved to Albert Lea. James enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and spending time with his family. He was a member of the American Legion, the Moose and Eagles clubs, President of the American Baptist Men’s Group and active in First Baptist Church of Clarks Grove.
Survivors include his wife LaVerne; children Carolyn (David) Hanson, Ame Wiger, James (Amy) Calverley, Mark (Julie) Calverley, Charmaine (Wayne) Sickels, Jerry (Jane) Brandt, Arlie (Sherry) Brandt, Ron (Doris) Brandt, Connie (Mike) Lord, and special adopted children Donna and Scott Haukoos; grandchildren Mike (Amy) Hanson, Shelli Hanson (special friend Robert Rossini), Tim (Tiffany) Hanson,  Shawn (Rhonda) Calverley, Jason Calverley, Jason (Tasha) Jasper, Jeremy Calverley (fiancé Christina Carter), Michael (Mariah) Calverley, Jamie Calverley, Jimmy Calverley, Sarah Wiger, Dawn Malakowsky, Sara and Samantha Sickels, Joshua Brandt, Daniel Brandt, Justin Brandt, Crystal McClure, Josh (Kara) Gore, Christine Gore, Lauren Brandt, and Adam, Taylor, and Alex Lord; great-grandchildren Christopher Dokken, Adison, Hanah and Elle Malakowsky, Jordan, Jeffrey, and Lucas McClure, Sam (special friend Audrey Hanson), and Maddie Hanson, Bryce (special friend Danielle Olson) and Kara Lynne Hanson, Siri, Jack, and Judd Hanson, Ashley (Jorge) Tapia, Gregory (Brooke) and Zachary Calverley, Alexis and Jayda Calverley, Xander, Tucker and Evelyn Calverley, and Maddie, Bailey, Jack and Charlie Jasper; and great-grandchildren Maya and Javier Tapia.
James was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters.