LaVerne Anderson Obituary

LaVerne Russell Anderson, 89, of Des Moines passed away on September 22, 2025, at the VA Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

LaVerne was born on February 14, 1936, to Russell and Therese (Murken) Anderson in Boone, Iowa. He was the oldest of four children. He graduated from Boone High School in 1954.

He married the only woman he ever dated and loved, Maxine Sturtz, on August 19, 1955. The following year, he was the general contractor and primary builder of their first home in Boone. They raised three children together: LaVere, LaVeta, and LaVal.

LaVerne was a man of faith. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at the age of 9. He followed Christ his entire life.

LaVerne was always a hard worker. He delivered newspapers in his youth and, as a teenager, got a job at Boyd’s Dairy in Boone. He worked his way up the ladder there to manage the milk processing plant, the ice cream production plant, and two retail stores in Ames.

LaVerne joined the US Army at the age of 17. He parachuted out of airplanes early in his military career. He piloted both helicopters and airplanes (as he said: rotary and fixed wing). He later went through Officer Candidate School. He continued to serve his country in the Iowa National Guard and Army Reserve until his retirement in 1996 as Colonel.

In 1973, LaVerne became a realtor in Des Moines. He furthered that career by becoming a broker and later opened Century 21 Golden Homes. In addition to owning many rental properties, he partnered with Keith West of Entertainment Group. Keith was more than a business partner; he was a good friend for decades.

When he was in his 70s, LaVerne built an airplane in his garage and flew it when he was 80. Because of his age when he flew his homebuilt plane, he became a member of the United Flying Octogenarian (UFO) Club. He also received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, which is given by the FAA to those with 50 or more years of pilot experience and an impeccable safety record.

In addition to his love of flying, he had a passion for woodworking. He built a bedroom set in his high school shop class. He crafted six grandfather clocks. In his later years, most of his projects were done on the scroll saw, the largest being The Lord’s Prayer. He loved making items to give as gifts. When he “retired,” his workshop became his office.

LaVerne’s other interests were diverse. He enjoyed origami folding with dollar bills, being an amateur magician, and making and fixing props for magicians. He took college theology courses and became an ordained minister. He was a standardized patient for Des Moines University. He was involved in political campaigns at the state and national level and volunteered at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge. He was a member of HuntMasters Club and Des Moines Woodworkers.

LaVerne had a wonderful sense of humor and could light up a room. He had many catchphrases and comedic bits. He changed common sayings just for fun: “for crying out softly” instead of “for crying out loud”, “Short Larry Golds” for “Long John Silvers”, and many more. LaVerne loved to show off his “pet” mongoose to friends. He made unique things to give away: black walnut back scratchers, round-tuits, and standing O’s (Ovations) to name a few. He was an entertainer at heart. We will miss all the fun he brought to our lives.

LaVerne is survived by son LaVere Anderson of Guthrie Center; daughter LaVeta (Ken) Faber of Fayetteville, GA; daughter LaVal (Wally Haessig) Anderson of Windsor Heights; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother Andy (Jane) Anderson; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; Maxine, his beloved wife of 66 years; and siblings LeRoy Anderson and LaVonne Stumbo.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 28, from 2-4 pm, with Memory Sharing beginning at 3 pm at Iles Dunn’s Funeral Home, 2121 Grand Ave., Des Moines. The military ceremony will be held Tuesday, September 30 at 12:30 pm at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.

The family is grateful for the many wonderful caregivers at Bickford Senior Living in Urbandale and the VA Hospital. LaVerne always said that the VA staff treated him like royalty.

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