Laverne Donald Krauel

LaVerne Donald Krauel, the son of Chris W. and Hattie Ehlert Krauel, was born October 20, 1924 at his parents home in Cameron Township, Audubon County, near Ross, IA and died October 15, 2009 at the Hospice of the Valley Friendship Village in Mesa, AZ at the age of 84 years, 11 months and 25 days.
LaVerne was baptized as an adult at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mesa. He attended rural Audubon County schools and graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1943. He then helped operate the family farm for a short time. On September 22, 1943 he was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Force. During his tour of duty he served as a B-17 gunner with the U.S. 8th Air Force seeing action in the Rhineland and Central Europe. While in the service he also attended Cadet College at Shawnee, OK and the Aurora School of Photo Engraving. He was honorably discharged on November 8, 1945 and returned to the Audubon area.
On August 4, 1946 he was united in marriage to Geneva Jorgensen at the Presbyterian Church in Audubon, IA. One daughter Sandra, was born to this union. They farmed for a short time then LaVerne attended linotype school and started working for Spencer Printing in Audubon. In 1958 LaVerne and Geneva moved to Mesa, AZ. LaVerne was employed as the manager of the print shop at the Strauchs Stationers for over 30 years. In 1983 LaVerne and Geneva started their own print shop, Mesa Quality Printing, which they operated until they sold the business and retired. During retirement, LaVerne enjoyed carpentry and woodworking. They also enjoyed traveling within the U.S. and Europe.
LaVerne was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mesa. He held several elected local and state offices within the American Legion Post 26, of which he was a life member. He was a life member of VFW Post 1760 and a life member of the Elks Lodge 1781. LaVerne was a member of the Military Order of the Cootie, Post 144 as well as the National Post of the Chef De Gare Club.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his brothers and sisters: Emmert Krauel, Cameron Krauel, Leroy and wife Mable Krauel, Lewis and wife Arlene Krauel, Ollivene and husband Victor Eddy, and Esther and husband Orville Mozena; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Patricia Schurer, Sharlene and husband Michael Jensen, H.P. Jorgensen, Jr., Audrey Jorgensen, Gordon Wealch, Keith Staples, and Lyle Murray.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Geneva Krauel of Mesa, AZ; his daughter: Sandra and husband Joe Acuna of Chandler, AZ; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Faye Krauel, Gertrude Krauel, Lloyd and wife Shirley Jorgensen all of Audubon, Virginia and husband Norbert Stoberl of Manning, IA, Franklin and wife Carol Jorgensen of Audubon, Yvonne Staples of Papillion, NE, Erick John Jorgensen and Beatrice Wealch both of Audubon, Darvin and wife Nadine Jorgensen of Exira, IA, Marlene and husband Kent Walter, Jane Jorgensen all of Audubon, and Mick Schurer of Lawrence, KS, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery.

Service:
Celebration of Life Memorial Services will be Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, IA.