M. Fredericksen

LaVern Fredericksen, 86, of Elk Horn, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa.

Martin LaVern Fredericksen was born on December 8, 1921, in Kimballton, Iowa, the son of Martin Fred and Carrie (Petersen) Fredericksen. He was baptized and confirmed at the Bethany Lutheran Church, northeast of Kimballton.

He served his country as a respected Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II. He was assigned to Company B of the 365th Anti-Aircraft and Searchlight Battalion. On his tour of duty he visited New Hebrides, Guadalcanal, and the Philippine Islands. He played catcher for an Army softball team, which made it into a tournament called the "Jungle Bowl". LaVern served his country proudly and faithfully and this trait followed him throughout his life.

On June 7, 1946, he married Clara Luella Aagaard at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. After their marriage, LaVern became a member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. They moved from Kimballton to Elk Horn in 1949, and lived there for the remainder of his life.

LaVern was employed by Kaltoft Bros Construction, Nelson Jessen Oil Company, Conway Transport Company, Elk Horn Brand Eggs, and the City of Elk Horn.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #322 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

LaVern loved watching a good baseball game on TV, Wheel of Fortune, and old shows such as, Lawrence Welk, Johnny Carson, Gun Smoke, John Wayne, and Bonanza.

He enjoyed golfing, fishing, duck and pheasant hunting. LaVern's passion was his woodworking shop in the basement where he built birdhouses, flower boxes, church replicas, horse drawn wagons, golf carts, and various other objects. If there was something he admired, he would go right to his shop and build it. More quiet times were spent reading, doing cross word puzzles and seek-a-word puzzles.

LaVern took great pride in his home, enjoyed mowing, helping Luella water flowers, making house repairs, visiting with friends and helping with family projects.

He dearly loved his wife, Luella, of 61 years. The highlight everyday was to take her for a car ride. Some days they would go from Elk Horn to Kimballton and through the country until finally arriving at Prairie Rose State Park to see if the fish were biting.

In the months at the Salem Home, LaVern developed a close relationship with his friends and staff. The best times were the times spent talking, singing, and watching old movies. Salem Home's loving and tender care was a great comfort to LaVern.

LaVern loved his family and always looked forward to the holidays when he was able to see his kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

LaVern is survived by his wife, Luella of Elk Horn, Iowa; his daughter, Beth Heitman and her husband, Kenny of Mineola, Iowa; his son, Tim Fredericksen and his wife, Cindy of Elk Horn, Iowa; five grandchildren, Holly Greiner and her husband, Don of Silver City, Iowa, Heidi Parks of Glenwood, Iowa, Trina Heitman Stille and her husband, Eric of Glenwood, Iowa, and Christopher and Nicholas Fredericksen, both of Elk Horn, Iowa; six great-grandchildren, Austin, Amanda, Rebecca and Ryan Greiner, Brandon Parks, and Lauryn Elizabeth Stille; his brother-in-law, Chester Larsen of Littleton, Colorado; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Carrie Fredericksen; mother and father-in-law, Henry and Clara Aagaard; four brothers and spouses, Edward and Lucille, Elmer and Annabelle, William and Ernest; two sisters, Elma and Ray Moreland and Anna and Alfred Leistad; brothers and sisters-in-law, Aage and Betty Aagaard, George and Miriam Aagaard; and sisters-in-law, Edna Aagaard and Elizabeth Larsen.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 5, 2008, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa, with The Reverend Keith Menter officiating.

Burial will be in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 4, 2008, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

Condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.