LuVern Levi Mettler, 81, Deadwood, died Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, at the Black Hills VA Health Care Center at Fort Meade.

He was born March 13, 1926, at Menno, S.D., to Edward C. and Helen C. (Frasch) Mettler. After graduating from the Menno High School, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country during WWII. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home and worked in his uncle's bakery.

LuVern married Pat Hasik in Vermillion, on Feb. 24, 1947. LuVern enrolled in the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, Minn., to sharpen his baking skills. LuVern and Pat started a bakery in Freeman, S.D., in the mid fifties and operated the business until 1965 when they moved to Sioux Falls and LuVern managed the bakery department for Sunshine Foods. In 1968, they owned and operated the Lead City Bakery in Lead. In 1979, they moved to Fremont, Neb., and operated a baker into the 80's when they moved to Lincoln, Neb., where they owned and operated the Mettler Family Bakery for almost 20 years.

LuVern reluctantly retired in 2002 when they moved to Deadwood. He was a member of the VFW and enjoyed long walks along Deadwood's Main St.

LuVern was an active member of the South Dakota Bakers Association.

Survivors include his wife, Pat Mettler, Deadwood; one son, Richard M. (Patricia) Mettler, Lincoln, Neb.; five daughters, Mary K. (Lynn) Denton, Lead, Carol A. (Thomas) Job, Topeka, Kan., Barbara J. (Steve) Archuleta, Colorado Springs, Colo., Joan E. (Richard Russell) Pinske, Billings, Mont., and Jane E. (Greg) Crotty, Lead; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, one brother and one sister.

Memorial Services 10 a.m. Thursday (6/26/08) at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Lead, S.D. Inurnment will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.