Johnston, LaVern G. (1918-2005)

JOHNSTON, MARROTT, RATASHACK

Posted By: John Schulte (email)
Date: 10/20/2005 at 12:20:51

Audubon County Advocate

Funeral services for LaVern G. Johnston, 87, were conducted Oct. 14, 2005 at the Audubon Church of Christ in Audubon, with Pastor Gerald Volk officiating. Interment was in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Audubon. Casket bearers were Jerryn Johnston, Jeremy Johnston, Mike Hemmingsen, Tim Slobodnik, Steve Hansen, and Brandon Graddick.

LaVern Johnston, the son of Charlie and Florence Marrott Johnston, was born Feb. 18, 1918, on his parents’ farm in Audubon County and died Oct. 11, 2005, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon.

LaVern was baptized at the First Christian Church in Audubon. He attended rural schools in Audubon County, and then graduated from the Audubon High School with the class of 1935. He worked for several other farmers, and then on Jan. 2, 1942, he was inducted into the United States Army. During his tour of duty, he served in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged on March 11, 1944. LaVern returned to the Audubon area and continued to help other farmers. In 1948, he purchased a farm in Melville Township.

On May 3, 1950, he was united in marriage to Lavina Ratashack at the Christian Church Parsonage in Carroll. They continued to operate the farm, raising grain and purebred Duroc hogs. He continued to farm until he moved to the Friendship Home in Audubon in June of 2005.

LaVern was a charter member of the Audubon Church of Christ. He was a member of the Audubon V.F.W.

Preceding him in death were his parents and his sisters: Helen Moon and Mary Robinson.

LaVern is survived by his wife, Lavina Johnston of Audubon; his sons: Mervin and wife, Shari Johnston of Boone; Steven and wife, Kathy Johnston of Audubon; his grandchildren: Amy and Michelle Johnston of Ames; Jerryn Johnston of Iowa City; Leah and husband, Mike Hemmingsen of Clive; Jeremy Johnston of Audubon; his great-grandchildren: Hayley Johnston, Ashton Graddick and Jacquelyn Graddick, all of Ames; Kellen Hemmingsen of Clive; his sister-in-law, Dorothy and husband, Dwight McKean of Harlan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.