LaVerne Leroy Jensen, son of Christian Peter and Elena Marie (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 wood working and tinkering in his garage.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jerry and his wife, Leanna; and his brother-in-law, Jerry A Jensen.
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 and Loni Anderson. He had 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rosalie Jensen of Hamlin, IA and brother-in-law, Roger (Butch) Williams his wife Sally of Spirit Lake, IA; also, 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.
