LaVerne Russell Larson 1923-2007

THORSON, OLSON, BARTZ, DUMMERMUTH, WENGER, DECKER, PANKONEN, LARSON, AMUNDSON, MEISNER

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 10/18/2007 at 08:54:39

Funeral services for LaVerne Russell Larson, 84, of Elgin, Iowa, were held Friday, Oct. 12, at East Clermont Lutheran Church, rural Clermont. The Rev. Don Berg officiated.

Interment with military honors was in East Clermont Lutheran Cemetery, rural Clermont.

Leonard Funeral Home of Elgin was in charge of arrangements.

LaVerne died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007, at his home in Elgin.

LaVerne Russell Larson was born Sept. 11, 1923, at home on the farm in Marion Township, Clayton County, Iowa, the son of Elmer and Amelia (Thorson) Larson. He was baptized and confirmed at East Clermont Lutheran Church where he was a lifelong member. He attended country school at the Marion Township #3 Groth School and was a 1941 graduate of Elgin High school. LaVerne farmed with his father before enlisting in the Navy. He served on the destroyer USS DeHaven during World War II.

On Oct. 13, 1951, LaVerne married Marilyn Olson at the East Clermont Church. To this union six children were born.

LaVerne and Marilyn farmed east of Clermont for five years. They bought a farm east of Elgin in 1956 and lived there until they built a home in Elgin in 1993.

LaVerne was a 4-H leader for many years; a member of the American Legion for 62 years; served on the East Clermont Church Council; Elgin and Valley Coop boards; AMPI Board; Clayton County Conservation Board, and was a Marion Township trustee.

LaVerne loved the frequent visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of his favorite things to do was take his pickup out for a drive to see how the crops were doing and check to see what his sons and grandsons were busy with on their farms. John Deere tractors held a special place in his heart.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

LaVerne is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn; his six children, Ann (David) Bartz of Monona; Lois (Kim) Dummermuth of Elgin; Gary (LeAnn) Larson of Clermont; James (Julie) Larson of Postville; Barbara (Brian) Wenger of Kanata, Ontario, Canada; and David (Janelle) Larson of Elgin; 16 grandchildren, Matt (Becky) Dummermuth, Amy (Tracy) Bartz Decker, Chad (Mandy) Dummermuth, Sara (Miles) Bartz Pankonen, Nicholas (Leah) Larson, Drew (Kellie) Dummermuth, Joel Bartz, Kari (Mark) Dummermuth Putney, Joshua Larson, Abbie Larson, Jennifer Larson, Aaron Wenger, Jacob Larson, Brooke Dummermuth, Landon Wenger, Logan Wenger; 12 great-grandchilden, Peyton Meisner, Bryce, Micah and Karter Decker, Maddison and Karsyn Pankonen, Caleb Dummermuth, Emma and Audrey Dummermuth, Laurel, Alaine and Clare Dummermuth; two sisters, Marjorie Amundson of Postville; Opal Olson of Iowa City, and a brother, Oliver (Darlene) Larson of Elgin.