LaVerne Weldon Erickson, son of Floyd Erickson and Mildred Anderson Erickson, was born May 24, 1927, on a farm near Stratford, Iowa, and died Jan. 19, 2016, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, where he had resided since last September. LaVerne was 88 years old.
A visitation service was held Friday, Jan. 22 at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Grand Junction. Family was present from 6-8 p.m., with a vigil service at 7 p.m., officiated by Deacon David Brown.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Grand Junction. Celebrant was Fr. Randy Schon of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boone. Lectors were granddaughters Jennifer Asinger and Laura Johnson. Eucharistic minister was daughter Debbi Strong. Gift bearers were grandsons Zack and Tye Erickson.
Honorary bearers were Jennifer Asinger, Laura Johnson, Bob Fredrickson, Nathan Fredrickson, Sarah Oelman, Jessica VonAhsen, Jennifer Jeffries, Becky White, Shelly White, Kathy Logsden, Nick Erickson, Joel Erickson, Rachel Erickson, Zack Erickson, Tye Erickson and Sarah Ware.
Musicians were organist Monica Pearson, cantors John and Tonee Erickson and soloists Becky White, Kathy Logsden and Shelly Erickson.
Interment will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Grand Junction at a later date.
LaVerne was one of four children, including his twin sister, LaVonne, who died when only four years old.
He graduated from Stanhope High School in 1944 and continued farming with his father and uncles.
LaVerne was drafted into the U.S. Army. While stationed in Colorado Springs, Colo., he married Ima Lee Bechard Sept. 29, 1951. They were blessed with seven children and suffered the deaths of two of their children, a son, Danny, at age 2 and a daughter, Diana, at age 14.
After his honorable discharge, which included a year in Korea, LaVerne and Ima Lee farmed at Webster City. In 1970 they moved to Grand Junction, where LaVerne continued his farming career. He semi-retired in 2001.
They were faithful members of St. Brigid Catholic Church in Grand Junction. After they moved to Boone, they became members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boone.
LaVerne loved his family, and he and Ima Lee made sure the family had a vacation each year.
Farming was both his livelihood and his hobby.
In addition to his little sister, LaVonne, and children Danny and Diana, LaVerne was preceded by his parents.
His memory will be cherished by his wife, Ima Lee, of Boone; children, Debbi (Bill) Strong of Washington, D. C., Tom (Sandy) Erickson of Williamsburg, Iowa, John (Tonee) Erickson of Lincoln, Neb., Alan (Dee) Erickson of Denver, Colo., and Gary (Lisa) Erickson of Ames; 16 grandchildren, Jennifer (Josh) Asinger, Laura (Matt) Johnson, Bob Fredrickson, Nathan Fredrickson, Sarah (Jeremy) Oelman, Jessica (Derek) Von Ahsen, Jennifer (Kurt) Jeffries, Becky (Caleb) White, Shelly Erickson, Kathy Logsdon, Nick Erickson, Joel Erickson, Rachel Erickson, Zack Erickson, Tye Erickson and Sarah Ware; 15 great-grandchildren; brothers, Al (Doris) Erickson of Mesa, Ariz., and Ken Erickson of Fairfield, Iowa; brother-in-law, Eldred (Tita) Bechard of Boone; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many friends.
