LaVerne Nelson

    LaVerne “Fritz” C. Nelson, 78, Clear Lake, died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008 at his home.  A Funeral Mass was held Monday, Jan. 7, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. John R. Tilp officiating.  Interment will be held at the Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton, Iowa.  Memorials may be given to the LaVerne C. Nelson Memorial Fund.
     LaVerne was born Oct. 31, 1929 in rural Thornton, the son of Clarence and Rose (Nicolet) Nelson.  He graduated from Thornton High School in 1948 and attended Mason City Junior College. LaVerne married Eleanor Jakoubek on Sept. 12, 1950 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Duncan, Iowa.  In 1951 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country two years during the Korean War and in Germany.  When he returned home he farmed in the Thornton area all his life.  He and Eleanor were foster parents to several children.
     LaVerne enjoyed the coffee group at the Chit Chat, loved raising cattle and loved farming. Once retired he enjoyed helping his sons with the farm, and the annual fishing trips to Leech Lake with his family.
     LaVerne was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Anton Juhl Post of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.  He served nine years with the ASCS Committee, served on the North Iowa Fair Board and was a member of the Iowa Beef Producers.
     LaVerne is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eleanor Nelson, Clear Lake; three children, Sue Brager and her husband, Mike, Clear Lake, John Nelson and his wife, Diane, Thornton, and Joe Nelson and his wife, Renee, Thornton; eight grandchildren, Hollie Meyer and her husband, Brian, Mason City, Iowa, Todd Brager and his wife, Brandi, Garner, Iowa, Carolyn Nelson, Teresa Bonnema and her husband, Wade, both of Sheffield, Iowa, Mark Nelson and his wife, Melissa, Steven Nelson, Brad Nelson and Christopher Nelson, all of Thornton; two great-grandsons, Cade Meyer and Wyatt Bonnema; one brother, Marvin Nelson and his wife, Juanita, Aurora, Colo.; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Nelson, Thornton, and Dorothy Nedved, Mason City, as well as numerous, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
    LaVerne was preceded in death by a daughter, Sally; grandson, Scott; his parents, Clarence and Rose and two brothers, James and Willard.
    Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.