Lavern Graeser

Lavern W. Graeser age 81 of Plainfield died Friday, May 11, 2012, at the Clarkesville Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at the Plainfield Baptist Church, Plainfield with Pastor Shawn Geer presiding. Interment will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, rural Charles City with Jeremy Stough, John Meier, Troy Weidler, Kyle Graeser, Chad Backer and Casey Graeser serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Ronald Hinders, Scott Weidler, Chris Meier, Jamie Grote, Michael Meier, Justin Meier, Jessica Meier, Tina Gamundoy, Les Graeser, Jennifer Chesnut, Tim Backer, Janel Helfter, Michelle Gaston, William Dooly, Victoria Hampton, Mandy Graeser, Mitch Wayne, Nicole Becker and Danny Graeser. Friends may greet the family 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2012, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. If so desired, memorials may be given to Cedar Valley Hospice. Lavern William Graeser was born June 29, 1930, in rural Butler County, IA, the son of Elmer and Rosie (Ellerman) Graeser. He received his education in Plainfield graduating from the Plainfield High School in 1949. On November 27, 1949, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, he married Edith White. To this union six children were born. Lavern initially farmed in the Shell Rock area and near Waverly before moving to his current home place just west of Plainfield. His wife, Edith died on March 12, 1999, at the age of 66. On May 28, 2004, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, he married Virginia ((Bridges) Hinders. Lavern farmed his entire life and the last years enjoyed farming with his youngest son. He also enjoyed playing cards, dancing, fishing and traveling throughout the Midwest. He made many trips to Branson and loved going to the country music shows. He followed the wrestling program for his sons and grandsons and loved going to rodeos when they came to McElroy Auditorium in Waterloo. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; six children, Sharlene (Dennis) Weidler of Waverly, Patricia (Dennis) Meier of Waterloo, Steven (Barbara) Graeser of Hampton, Barbara (Steve) Chase of Waterloo, Karen (Steve Jordan) Graeser of Nashua and Kevin (Susan) Graeser of Nashua; twenty four grandchildren, Scott & Troy Weidler, John, Chris, Jamie (Grote), Michael, Justin & Jessica Meier; Casey, Tina (Gamundoy), & Les Graeser; Jennifer (Chesnut), Chad and Tim Backer; Janel (Helfter) & Michelle (Gaston); Jeremy Stough; Mitchell Wayne, Mandy, Nicole (Becker), Danny & Kyle Graeser; William & Victoria (Hampton) Dooly; forty two great-grandchildren; One sister, Cloris (Art) Mehmen of Plainfield; one sister-in-law, Frances Whites of Clarksville; three brothers-in-law, Howard (Karen) White of Shell Rock, Richard (Carol) Poppe of Waterloo and Clyde Casady of Plainfield; step-children, Richard (Holly) Hinders, Vernita (Dean) Hobson, Vickie (Jeff) Chesnut, Ronald (Melissa) Hinders, all of Clarksville, Valeria (John) Marks of Plainfield. Sixteen step-grandchildren; twenty two step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Edith; and nephew, Randy Mehmen.