Lavern W. Alberts

Lavern was born the third of 4 children to Alton & Helen Alberts in Malvern, IA. He attended country school for 4 years and later transferred to Malvern Public Schools, graduating from Malvern High School in 1954. He and Mary Jean Shonka were united in marriage and were blessed with 5 children.
After farming in Malvern for 3 years, Lavern worked in the Malvern Egg Plant and John Deere. He then became a USDA meat inspector. The family moved to Denison in 1963, and Lavern worked at Farmland and IBP for 34 years, retiring in 1997. During these years, Lavern and Jeannie also owned and operated Russ’s Tavern and the Oasis. They were due to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary this year.
Lavern was a member of the Moose Lodge and served in the National Guard. His interests included love for fishing - including multiple trips to Canada with his friends , playing cards, and heading up a community garden. He and Jeannie enjoyed many trips to Minnesota and Texas, as well as other vacation trips with family. He excelled in many hobbies including horse shoes, darts, and fast pitch softball. His candies and baked goodies were enjoyed by family and friends. With an infallible memory and twinkle in his eye, he was an excellent story and joke teller. He loved his cars and loved to drive. He spent many days grilling steak, enjoying fire pits, and sitting at the picnic table. He was generous, a solid provider and decision maker, loyal, compassionate, and ornery. He mostly avoided bouts with the law, but there are many accounts of his …… antics.
Lavern was preceded in death by his parents, Alton & Helen Alberts, son Thomas Edward (Tom) Alberts, Sister and Brother-in-law Rose & Jim McCain, Father- & Mother- In-Law, Thomas & Margaret Shonka, Sisters-in-law Barbara Phelps and Judy Kline.
He is survived by the love of his life Mary Jean (Jeannie); sisters, Caroline(Rip) and Lavina (Roger); Brothers-in-law, Dan and Eldon; Children: Cathy & Roger, Lisa & Steve, Margaret, and William & Veronica; Grandchildren: Jeremy (Laura), Jennifer (Mike), Jessica, Ben, Katie (Austin), Megan (Tori), Joshua; Great Grandchildren: Alexa, Dylan, Jayden, Kelsey, Jon, Gabe, Calyen, Ella, Giselle, Niahnna.