LaVerne D. Messersmith

SIOUX CITY -- LaVerne D. Messersmith, 92, of Sioux City died Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at Casa de Paz.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Clyde Pritchett of Evangelical Church of South Sioux City, officiating. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

LaVerne was born April 30, 1917, in Anoka, Neb., the daughter of Alder and Ruth (Olson) Anderson. She graduated from Spencer (Neb.) High School in 1934.

She married Kenneth W. Messersmith on July 12, 1941, in Bristow, Neb. She was employed with F.J. Carpenter in Sioux City, for 17 years.

She was very active at Central Nazarene Church - Grace Nazarene Church and served as the church treasurer for more than 40 years. She also served as a Sunday School superintendent and Sunday School teacher. She had served as a PTA president and was a volunteer for Hospice of Siouxland for 10 years after Kenneth passed away.

Survivors include three children, Vernon K. Messersmith and his wife, Mary of New Berlin, Wis., LeRoy A. Messersmith and his wife, Rose of Sioux City and Linda K. Masteller and her husband, Neil of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two sisters, Leona Garthwaite of Rockford, Ill., and Donna Mavis of Madison, Neb.; two grandchildren, Andrew "Andy" Messersmith and Christen Adams; and two great-grandchildren, Malisa and Zachary.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Roland and Kenneth Anderson; and two grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Andy Messersmith, Tony Laird, Rocky Laird, Dave Samuelson, Dick Mavis and Rich Samuelson.

Memorials may be directed to Evangelical Church, 809 B St., South Sioux City, NE. 68776.

The family would like to thank all the staff of Casa de Paz for all the loving care give to LaVerne.