Lavern Syverson

LaVern “Luvy” Syverson, age 83, of Decorah, IA, died on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at the Wellington Place Nursing Home in Decorah, IA. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 19, 2013, at the Springfield Lutheran Church, 1969 Middle Calmar Road, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Phillip Olson and Rev. Phillip Gibbs presiding. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at the Springfield Lutheran Church, 1969 Middle Calmar Road, Decorah, IA, and also after 9:30 a.m., at the church on Saturday morning. Burial will be in St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery, Decorah, IA. Elmer LaVern “Luvy” Syverson was born on January 25, 1929, the son of Arthur and Alice (Estrem) Syverson in rural Decorah, Iowa. LaVern was baptized the Springfield Lutheran Church and confirmed at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. He attended rural country school near the Springfield Church and Decorah High School, and enjoyed farming with his father. He was united in marriage to Frances “Franny” Brown on August 10, 1954, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton. LaVern worked for Lyle Sacquitne plastering for eight years and then for North East Farm Service for twenty-three years. After retirement, he worked part time as a janitor at St. Benedict Catholic School for thirteen years and also helped at Decorah Community Schools. LaVern enjoyed playing cards, car rides with Franny, dances at Matters and visiting with family and friends. Above all, his greatest love was spoiling his grandchildren and attending all of their softball, football, baseball and basketball games. LaVern was a member of the Springfield Lutheran Church. LaVern is survived by his wife: Frances “Franny” Syverson, Decorah, IA. Five children: Sharry (Tom) Szabo, Decorah, IA; Bev Roe, Odebolt, IA; Barb (Dave) Meyer, Decorah, IA; Kevin (Marsha) Syverson, Decorah, IA; and Cory (Heather) Syverson, Decorah, IA. Thirteen grandchildren: Jessica (Brad) Jensen, Kayla (Jordan) Massman, Kelly (friend, Bryce) Bender, Mitch (friend, Maria) Roe, Bryton and Dawson Meyer, Adam Hovey, Eric and Aaron Syverson, Olivia, Grace, Cora and Ava Syverson. Five great grandchildren: Reece Jensen, Jersey, Treylor, and Talan Bender, and Brecken Goberson. Two brothers: Ardell (Elaine) Syverson, Decorah, IA, and Elwood (Bonnie) Syverson, Decorah, IA. Sisters and brothers-in-law: Alice (Joe) Hemesath, Decorah, IA; Lester (Dorothy) Engen and Regina Weber, Hampton, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. LaVern was preceded in death by his parents: Arthur and Alice (Estrem) Syverson. One grandson: Willard Roe III. Mother and father- in-law: William and Mary (Donlan) Brown, Sisters and brothers-in-law: Rose (Les) Sharp, Rita (Kenny) Rude, Helen Engen, Willard Weber, Mary Ellen Brown, John William Brown and Evelyn Theresa Brown. This is a letter I wrote the morning of grandpa's funeral. Good Morning, my name is Mitch Roe and I am the oldest grandson of LaVern "Luvy" Syverson. Thank you all for coming today, it means a great deal to my family and I. My grandpa wasn't just like any other man. He had many roles in life. He was a tremendous grandpa to us 18 grandchildren and great grandchildren, but also a great brother to Ardell and Elwood, a father like no other to Sharry, Bev, Barb, Kevin, and Cory. Most importantly he was a loving and devoted husband to Franny Syverson for 58 wonderful years. As our family gathered at times for Christmas, grandpa would make the point to let everyone know how proud he was of all of us. It was the smile on his face and the sound of his laughter that made me realize how much he cared about our family and how much he loved each and everyone of us. Yes, grandpa loved us and passed on many gifts, but I believe the most significant gift he gave us, and the gift I am most proud of today, is the gift of family. He would want us as a family to attend ball games together, play cards together, go to church together, celebrate birthdays and holidays together, and most importantly he would want us to celebrate the life that he had together. Grandpa may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. His spirit is with us and I'm sure he's watching over us as we are here today. In closing, I want to refer to a saying I saw last night on a stepping stone that we as a family received as a gift and that is; our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again. Thank you.