LaVerna Peterson

LaVerna (Werner) Larson Peterson, at the age of 95, was called by her Lord Jesus Christ to her heavenly home on Thursday, July 19, 2018. LaVerna was born in Albert City, Iowa, on August 12, 1922, to Dr. Carl Ali Anderson Werner and Hilma Maria (Johanson) Werner.

Following graduation from Albert City High School, she attended two years of Bible college at the Lutheran Bible Institute of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

LaVerna was married to LeRoy T. Larson on March 15, 1946. Together they had four children: Lois V. (Larson) Williams, Paul L. Larson, Ruth L. (Larson) Belner and Dale A. Larson. After 42 years of marriage, her husband, LeRoy, died on April 23, 1988. LaVerna married again on July 4, 1992 to Myrle E. Peterson. After 24 years of marriage to her second husband, Myrle died on March 5, 2016. LaVerna would often share, “God blessed me with two wonderful husbands and two wonderful marriages!”

LaVerna was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She considered these vocations a great gift and blessing from God. Her entire life was a beautiful reflection of her deep love for her Lord Jesus. Her children remember how she and their dad would begin each morning with the words from Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” LaVerna sought to reflect Christ’s love and servant heart in all she did.

Truly, hospitality was one of LaVerna’s greatest gifts as she warmly welcomed countless family members, friends and even strangers into her home. LaVerna loved to cook and bake. Family and friends will long remember the wonderful meals she served at her table. Fond memories will always remain of the elaborate Swedish Christmas Eve feast with the traditional Swedish foods served course after course. Her children and grandchildren will remember her homemade caramels, Danish pastries and caramel rolls! They are treasured recipes still being shared with the next generation.

LaVerna’s deep love for Christ powerfully shaped her life and the lives of others. When you were going through a hard time, she would lovingly share that perfect word of Godly wisdom and compassion. One of her favorites was Psalm 121. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. ...”

LaVerna was a great teacher and storyteller, passing on the family history by recounting stories from her childhood. Her stories would point to God’s faithfulness and His generous provision through the changes and challenges of life. She would often say: “God is good all the time! And all the time, God is good!”

LaVerna also loved to travel. She and her husband, LeRoy, showed their children the entire lower 48 states through their extensive family vacations. With both her husbands, LaVerna enjoyed traveling abroad to such places as Scandinavia, Germany, France, England, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Alaska and Hawaii.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her 4 sisters and brother, her first husband, LeRoy Larson, her second husband, Myrle Peterson, her daughter, Lois Williams, and her step-granddaughter, Amanda (Shuka) Law.

LaVerna is survived by her son-in-law, Michael Williams, and by 3 children, Paul (Kristi) Larson, Ruth (Wayne) Belner, Dale (Christy) Larson and 5 stepchildren, Sidney (Janet) Peterson, Naomi (Gregg) Lovin, Stanley (Carol) Peterson, Rebecca (Robert) Shuka, and Angela (Kevin) Geisler. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 22 step-grandchildren, as well as 14 great-grandchildren and 17 step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 3, 2018, from 5:00 to 8:00pm at Stevens Memorial Chapel in Ames, Iowa.

The funeral will be at Ascension Lutheran Church in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday, August 4. Visitation at the church begins at 10:00am and the service will follow at 11:00am. After the funeral, a luncheon will be served at the church. Interment will follow at McLarens Resthaven Chapel and Mortuary in West Des Moines, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to either “My Father’s House International” (a Christian home for abandoned children in El Salvador) or “World Mission Prayer League” (an organization supporting 100 Lutheran Missionaries working in 20 different countries).