LaVerne Leroy Jensen

LaVerne Leroy Jensen, son of Christian Peter and Elena Nelsena (Christoffersen) Jensen, was born on February 5, 1942, in Kimballton, Iowa. He passed away on July 1, 2026, at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center, Iowa. LaVerne attended Audubon Community School and graduated in 1960.

He had many professions 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, MO. During that time, LaVerne also worked during the winter months at Bass Pro Shop, building trailers.

He married Janice (Williams) Anderson on February 24, 1996, and lived in Fairgrove, MO. 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; grandson, Taylor Mohr; his brother Jerry, his wife, Leanna; brothers-in-laws, Jerry A Jensen, James Anderson, Bob Williams and his wife, Janet 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, IA; Gary (Linda) of Carroll, IA; Brian (Brandi) of Earlham, IA; Jeff Anderson of Panora, IA, and Loni Anderson of Shelby, IA. He had 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Roger (Butch) Williams, his wife Sally of Spirit Lake, IA; sister-in-laws, Rosalie Jensen of Hamlin, IA, Bev and Terry Richter of Panora, IA, Dee Anderson of Cedar Rapids, Nancy and Dwight Huffman of Carroll, IA 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 will be held at 10 am, Monday, July 6, 2026, at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Audubon, IA, with Rev. Sean Dougherty officiating. Burial will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. A reception will take place following the committal service at Our Saviours Lutheran Church. A family visitation will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 4 pm until 6 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon. Memorials can be made to the family and will be designated at a later date.