1942-2026
LaVerne Leroy Jensen, son of Christian Peter and Elena (Christoffersen) Jensen, was born on Feb. 5, 1942, in Kimballton. He passed away on July 1, 2026, in Guthrie Center at the New Homestead.
LaVerne attended Audubon Community School and graduated in 1960. He had many professions, including working at Southside Welding driving trucks with his brother-in-law, Dale Madsen, and his brother, Jerry. He married Eileen Marie Madsen on July 6, 1963, at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Three sons were born in this marriage: Craig, Gary and Brian. In 1988, they bought McBride’s Resort in Protem, Missouri. During that time, LaVerne also worked during the winter months at Bass Pro Shop, building trailers.
He married Janice (Williams) Anderson on Feb. 24, 1996, and lived in Fairgrove, Missouri. They moved to Des Moines in June 2000, and he worked at Seneca in Des Moines, building vacuum pumps for trucks. In June 2010, they moved to Lake Panorama, where he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering in his garage.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jerry; his wife, Leanna; brothers-in-laws, Jerry A Jensen, James Anderson and Alan and his wife, JoAnn Haskins.
He is survived by his wife, Janice; sister, Dianne Furne (Wesley); his children, Craig (Julie) of De Soto, Gary (Linda) of Carroll, Brian (Brandi) of Earlham, Jeff Anderson of Panora, and Loni Anderson of Shelby. He had 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Roger (Butch) Williams, his wife Sally of Spirit Lake; sisters-in-law, Rosalie Jensen of Hamlin, Bev and Terry Rikter of Panora, Dee Anderson of Cedar Rapids, Nancy and Dwight Huffman of Terril, and Joy Anderson of Johnston, as well as many nieces, nephews, and loved ones.
His favorite pastime was being a grandpa and great grandpa — he loved every minute of it!
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 6, 2026, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, with Rev. Sean Dougherty officiating. Burial will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. A reception took place following the committal service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. A family visitation was held on Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 4-6 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon. Memorials can be made to the family and will be designated at a later date.