Laverne M Bryce, age 91 of Cumberland, formerly of Hudson and River Falls, WI, died on November 9, 2011 at the Cumberland Extended Care Unit in Cumberland, Wisconsin.

Laverne was born on July 27, 1920 to Garnett and Maude (Hill) Maggs in Leroy, Saskatchewan, Canada. The oldest of 3 children, she grew up rural Saskatchewan and graduated from Wilkie High School. She then went on to attend Secretarial School in Saskatoon. It was during this time that she met Hugh Bryce, a chemistry grad student at the University of Saskatchewan. The two began dating and on October 3, 1943 were married in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The marriage would be blessed with two children, James and Warren. It was during WWII that Laverne and Hugh worked as a part of the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico. When the war ended, the Bryce family moved to Philadelphia, PA. While Hugh worked as a research chemist, Laverne took on the role of housewife and mother. In 1949, a job at 3M in St. Paul moved the Bryce family a final time to Hudson, Wisconsin where they raised their children and became well known members of the community. It was in 2006 that Laverne and Hugh moved to Comforts of Home in River Falls, WI. Hugh would pass away in 2008 and Laverne stayed there until January of 2011 when she moved to Cumberland to be closer to her family.

Laverne was an active and caring woman. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother who was always there to support her family. She enjoyed flower gardening and was a member of the Hudson Garden Club. She also spent time hiking with her dogs in the outdoors. She relaxed by reading a good book or watching classic old movies.

Laverne is survived by her sons, Jim (Mary Jo) Bryce of Cumberland, WI and Warren (Laura) Bryce of Beach Park, IL; grandchildren, Nicole (Jacob) Burling of Barron, WI, Jason Bryce of Eau Claire, WI, Todd Bryce of Cumberland, WI, George Bryce of Beach Park, IL, Tolia Sedov of Champagne, IL and Pavel Sedov of Beach Park, IL; brother, Henry L (Fran) Maggs of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; dear friends, Dr. Jim and Dorothy Cumming as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.

Laverne is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hugh; and brother, Jim.

A celebration of Laverne’s life will be held at 3 o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson. Burial will follow at the Willow River Cemetery in Hudson. Pastor Stephanie Anthony will be officiating. A visitation will take place for 1 hour prior to services at the church. Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, Hudson, WI. 715.386.3725