Laverne Joel Osmundson (1923-1960)

OSMUNDSON, FINCHAM

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/11/2022 at 15:10:39

From Nevada Journal April 22, 1960 (page 1)

Laverne Osmundson Dies By His Own Hand: Had Been Ill With Arthritis

Laverne Osmundson, 38, took his own life Thursday afternoon at the farm near McCallsburg when he shot himself through the head with a 410 gauge shotgun.

His body was found about 4 p.m. by his father-in-law, Lester Fincham, and a neighbor, Harlan Tjelmeland.

Osmundson recently had a farm sale and bought a restaurant in McCallsburg. He suffered greatly with arthritis, which was one reason for trying to give up farming.

He left a short note on the table in the house: "I am in the barn." He came out from town and was helping farm.

When Mrs. Osmundson came, she did not understand why her husband had not come at 2 p.m. for her. Tjelmeland and Fincham then went to the barn where they found the body. The hour of death was about 2:30 p.m.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Osmundson, he was a lifetime resident of the McCallsburg community.

He was married to Miss Orene Fincham, November 25, 1943 at the Zion Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in McCallsburg, a trustee of the Men's Brotherhood and active in 4-H work.

Osmundson is survived by his wife, Orene, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Osmundson of Radcliffe; two sons, Larry and Lynn, two daughters, Shirleen and Lou Ann all of them home; and a brother, Ralph Osmundson of Chicago.

The body will lie in state at the Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada until Sunday noon. Services will be in the Presbyterian Church in McCallsburg at 2:30 with the Rev. James Thomson officiating. Burial will be in the McCallsburg cemetery.

From Nevada Journal May 11, 1960 (page 4)

Rites for Laverne Osmundson Held at McBurg on April 24

The last rites for LaVerne Joel Osmundson were held Sunday afternoon, April 24, 11960 at the Presbyterian Church in McCallsburg with his pastor, Rev. James Thomson in charge. Prayer was given by Rev. Perry Heller of the Bethany Lutheran Church.

Mrs. J. R. Dillin presided at the organ. "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and "Jesus Savior Pilot Me" were sund by Mrs. F. E. Nail and Mrs. Robert Lounsbery.

Pallbearers were Alvin Johnson, Roger Menzel, George Knaphus, Harlan Tjelmeland, Gerald Vallem and Gordon Woster.

Mrs. Alvin Johnson and Mrs. Harland Tjelmeland were in charge of the many floral offerings. There were also a large number of memorial gifts in his memory.

The members of the Warren Township boy 4-H club of which he was a leader attended the funeral as a group.

Burial was in the Warren Township cemetery south of McCallsburg.

Obituary

LaVerne Joel Osmundson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Osmundson was born August 13, 1923 and died April 21, 1960 at the age of 36 years. He lived his entire life in the McCallsburg community and attended the McCallsburg school.

He was united in marriage to Orene Grace Fincham on November 25, 1943 in the Zion Lutheran Church. To this union were born four children, two boys Larry and Lynn, and two daughters, Shirlene and LuAnn.

LaVerne was baptized and confirmed from the Zion Lutheran church and united with the Presbyterian church in March of 1951.

He served the church as a trustee and was president of the Men's Brotherhood of the church at the time of his death.

LaVerne was active in the community and for the past two years was a leader of the local 4-H club.

Surviving are his wife, Orene and four children, Larry, Lynn, Shirlene and LuAnn, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Osmundson of Radcliffe and his brother Ralph of Chicago, as well as many other relatives and friends.