LaVern Alexander

LaVern G. Alexander

LaVern G. Alexander, age 84 and a lifetime resident of Cass County, passed away Friday, Nov. 2nd, 2012, at the Heritage House where he had been a resident.
The son of Gerald V. and Clair (Sheets) Alexander, he was born August 9th, 1928 in Atlantic. He grew up on the family farm east of Lewis and spent his entire adult life on the same farm which became a century farm in 2003. This was something of which he was very proud. LaVern was united in marriage to Lorraine Ingram on September 4th, 1948 in Atlantic.
He was one of the youngest Iowans at the time to obtain a pilot's license; he was 16 years old. He also built and flew over a dozen radio airplanes which he launched off a landing strip he built on his property. LaVern greatly enjoyed family get-togethers, meals, going for coffee, etc. He loved and was loved by animals, and recently appreciated visits by Baby Kitty and Buffy the dog. He also enjoyed woodcarving, and some of his pieces will be on display during visitations.
Surviving are one daughter, Jan Gardner and her husband, Steve of Atlantic; eight grandchildren: Acacia Planck and her husband, Chip of Omaha; Tiffany Linhardt and husband, Justin of Fort Ripley, MN, Hayley Shimanek and husband, Nathan of Ames, IA, Trevor Benge and wife, Tara of Corning, IA, Alex and wife, Kathryn of Jacksonville, NC, Nathan and Nikkoli Steffen of Riverview, FL, and Kim Sewald and husband, Ron of Ames, IA; nine great grandchildren: Bryanna, Logan, Morgan, Oakley, Brayden, Josslynn, Lauren, Breana, and Alissa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lorraine; daughter, Pam Steffen; and sister, Patsy Fleer.
A shared service will be held for LaVern and his daughter, Pam Steffen, who passed away at her home on Saturday, October 27. LaVern’s and Pam's service will be held at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 11am. There will be open visitation on Tuesday, November 6 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Family will meet with the friends from 5 to 7pm, also on Tuesday evening, at the Roland Funeral Home. The shared committal service at Oakwood Cemetery, will follow the funeral/memorial. Pastor Jason Zaiger of the Atlantic Church of Christ will officiate.