LaVerna Ethelyn Meyer

LaVerna Ethelyn (Jones) Saathoff-Meyer, age 96, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at Twilight Acres in Wall Lake, Iowa. Memorial services will be held Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. LaVerna Ethelyn Jones was born June 13, 1918 in Storm Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Vern and Sara Ethel (Smith) Jones. LaVerna was baptized into the Baptist faith. She attended school in Storm Lake, graduating from Storm Lake West School in 1935. On December 9, 1941, LaVerna was united in marriage to Clayton Saathoff in Dakota City, Nebraska. Together they were blessed with two daughters, Rita and Patricia. While Clayton was in the Army during World War II, she followed him around to twenty-six different states. LaVerna worked as a welder at one point, and also as a receptionist for a dentist while in Clayton was in Italy. They then moved to a farm around the Storm Lake area. They lived the farm life, raising crops and livestock. After Clayton’s death, LaVerna met Ron Meyer. On June 4, 1995 they were married at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. LaVerna worked in the Buena Vista County Hospital as an aid on the maternity floor for twenty-three years. She loved her time spent there caring for the newborn babies and their mothers. When she retired from the hospital, she spent time helping elderly people by visiting and helping with whatever they needed. She was a true caregiver her entire life. LaVerna was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. LaVerna belonged to card clubs, the Storm Lake Paint Club, the Rebekah Lodge in Storm Lake, and enjoyed going to different coffee groups. She had many hobbies, including sewing, crocheting, knitting, baking, and canning vegetables from her garden. LaVerna was also very talented when it came to painting. She painted many beautiful porcelain pieces. Most of all, “Nerna” loved spending time with her family and staying updated with the grandchildren’s activities. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Rita (Roger) Peters of Lake View, Iowa; Patricia (George) Vebsky of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; grandchildren: Russell (Jill) Peters of Lees Summit, Missouri; Rachel Peters (Peter James) of Waukee, Iowa; great-grandchildren: Damon Hudson, Cassidy Hudson, Garret Peters, and Sarah Peters; sister, Macel Vandesteeg of Holmes Beach, Florida; step-children: Tom Meyer of Johnston, Iowa; Mrs. Jerry (Janine) Meyer of Alta, Iowa; Lee (Becky) Meyer of Alta, Iowa; Joy Johnson of Cedar Falls, Iowa; 11 step-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lucille Christensen of Pocahontas, Iowa; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. LaVerna was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Clayton Saathoff and Ron Meyer; and step-son, Jerry Meyer.

LaVerna Ethelyn Meyer

June 13, 1918 - December 10, 2014