Laverne J. Socks

Laverne J. Verne Socks age 82 of Brookfield Wisconsin and formerly of Maquoketa Iowa and Clinton Michigan died Tuesday afternoon October 17 2000 at the Elmbrook Memorial Hospital in Brookfield Wisconsin after a brief illness.



Funeral Services will be held at 1 P.M. Saturday October 21 2000 from the Carson & Son Funeral And Cremation Services in Maquoketa Iowa with Rev. Clair Odell of the First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa Iowa officiating. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 P.M. on Friday October 20 2000 from the Carson & Son Funeral And Cremation Services in Maquoketa. Burial will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery Maquoketa Iowa. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 A.M. Saturday October 28 2000 from the Krause Funeral Home 9000 West Capitol Drive Milwaukee Wisconsin. Visitation will be held from 10 A.M. until Service Time on Saturday October 28 2000 at the Krause Funeral Home 9000 West Capitol Drive Milwaukee Wisconsin.



Laverne J. Verne Socks Jr. was born on September 12 1918 near Clinton Michigan to Laverne Socks Sr. and Emma Arnold Socks. He married Sarah Middlebrook on March 1 1937 in Angola Indiana. Mr. Socks attended Lancaster School an...[more]

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raduated from Clinton Michigan High School in 1937. He worked at Clinton Engines Company in Clinton Michigan for several years moving with the company to Maquoketa Iowa in 1951. He held the position of Vice President of Manufacturing for Clinton Engines in Maquoketa. In 1959 Verne moved to Milwaukee Wisconsin to join Briggs & Stratton Corporation. His initial assignment was to provide the expertise to inaugurate Briggs' entry into ferrous casting. However he brought much more to the company as reflected by his promotions during the period of the Corporation's tremendous growth to Vice President-Wauwatosa Operations in 1968 Vice President Manufacturing Operations in 1977 and his election as Executive Vice President and Director in 1977 where he served on the Executive Committee until his resignation from the Board in 1990. In each capacity in which he served he brought a broad knowledge of manufacturing an ability get things done and most importantly a very human presence catalytic to teamwork loyalty efficiency and friendship. While he retired as an active officer in 1986 those qualities remain today in Briggs & Stratton's workforce in no small measure as a reflection of his influence. After his retirement he formed the L.J. Socks Manufacturing Company and remained active in consulting for several midwest companies. Verne enjoyed golfing fishing cooking sporting events and spending time with his family. He was an avid Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan. He had spent many summers at their summer home in Minocqua Wisconsin and many winters at their residence in Naples Florida.



He is survived by: His Wife- Sarah; 3 Daughters- Mrs. Rodney(Beverly) Carson of Maquoketa Iowa Mrs. Danny(Ava) Moon of Pewaukee Wisconsin and Mrs. Dale(Karen) Lagerman of Pewaukee Wisconsin; 2 Sons- Lynwood Lynn(Joanne) Socks of Cedarburg Wisconsin and Greg(Janet) Socks of Brookfield Wisconsin; 1 Brother- Leonard(Anne) Socks of Dexter Michigan; 14 Grandchildren- Jolyn (Bob) Pinzl Julie (Ken) Hunt Laverne C. Socks Valerie Clark Don Carson Terry (Lois) Moon Lisa (Jon) Jansen Shelly (Dan) Williamson Suzy (Joe) Olson Sally (Scott) Keith Luke J. (Sarah) Socks Kate Socks Leah Socks and Elizabeth Socks & 18 Great-Grandchildren- Verne Joshua Socks Danny Socks Megan Hunt Kenny Hunt Nate Clark Natalie Clark Kyle Williamson Ben Williamson Lauren Moon Christoper Jansen Emma Jansen Alex Olson Nicholas Olson Megan Olson Mitchell Keith Brynn Keith Ryan Keith and Tyler Socks & Several Nieces & Nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.



A Laverne J. Verne Socks Memorial Fund has been established.