Francis I. "Curly" Laverdure 1923 - 2006

LAVERDURE, PICARD, BEACOM

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/19/2019 at 17:21:52

Sioux City Journal
6 July 2006

Francis I. "Curly" Laverdure, 83, died Friday, June 30, 2006, after a courageous battle with lymphoma.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Michael J. Erpelding officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Army Reserves. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Christy-Smith Larkin Northside Chapel.

Francis was born in Doyon, N.D., in Feb. 20, 1923, the son of Edward and Ida (Picard) Laverdure. He grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School. He later attended Morningside College.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Middle East and Europe. He was in Brig. Gen. William J. Donovan's hand-picked cadre of America's "best and brightest" that became the Office of Strategic Services, fore runner of the Central Intelligence Agency. He served as executive assistant to Col. Charles W. Thayer, OSS station chief for Austria and participated in operations in both North Africa and the Balkans. He returned home to Sioux City following the death of his father and continued his employment with Cargill Inc.

He met Ann Marie Beacom and they married on June 14, 1947, at St. Joseph's Church in Sioux City. During his management career with Cargill, he and Ann were transferred from Sioux City to Wilson, N.C., Baltimore, Md., and Norfolk, Va. Along the way, they had their four children. In 1965, their final transfer took them to Minneapolis, where they raised their family. He continued to work for Cargill and WayCrosse Inc. until his retirement in 1987, after 45 years of distinguished service. After retirement, he continued to use his many talents in volunteer service to Our Lady of Peace Parish in Minneapolis.

He was a man of great faith. He will be remembered also as a man who loved hard work and enjoyed mentoring young people by helping them to discover their talents and gifts. He was an avid supporter of his children's and all athletic events at Cretin-Derham Hall High School, Regina High School, the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., and the College of St. Catherine. He loved music and his large collection featured the classics and the music of his generation, the Big Band era. He valued a good conversation, was a great storyteller and loved to reminisce about growing up in Sioux City.

He is survived by his loving bride of 59 years, Ann Marie Beacom Laverdure; four children and spouses, Edward Laverdure of Oklahoma City, Okla., Mary Frances and George Deutsch of Catonsville, Md., Nancy and John Kolacke of Eden Prairie, Minn., and John and Michelle Laverdure of O'Fallon, Ill.; his precious grandchildren, Kathleen and her husband, Barry Chance of Shreveport, La., Brian Laverdure of Winston-Salem, N.C., Courtney Laverdure, Caitlin Laverdure and Brynn Laverdure, all of O'Fallon, Ill.; three sisters, Roseanna Ash and Evengeline Satterly, both of Sioux City and Marceline Myers of Allen, Texas; several nieces and nephews; extended relatives; and many loving friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Joseph; an infant sister, Evelyn; other family members; and in-laws.