LaVerne Schwien

August 17, 1916 - November 7, 2011

LaVerne Henry Schwien, 95, formerly of Boone, passed away at the Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center in Des Moines, Iowa on Sunday morning, October 30, 2011. Verne was born on August 17, 1916, in Boone, Iowa the son of August and Carrie (Sherman) Schwien. He graduated from Boone High School in1935. Verne was a veteran of World War II serving with the United States Navy SeaBees. On July 29, 1939, he married Esther Johnson of Boone at the Methodist Church parsonage in Des Moines. Verne enjoyed woodworking, especially building a large collection of clocks for everyone in his family and friends; making many pieces of furniture for family members; keeping informed of current events and politics; and above all, he loved his family with all his heart. Verne worked in construction for Henry Thorngren and his son, Carl, who was his life-long friend and whom he missed dearly after Carl’s passing. He was a member of the Augustana Lutheran Church. His parents, wife Esther in March 2002, sister Catherine Monroe and a great-grandson Jackson Blaess, preceded him in death. Verne is survived by 2 daughters Karen Blaess and Shirlee Killian and husband Floyd, both of Urbandale, Iowa; grandchildren Melanee Stanbrough and husband Michael, Michael Blaess and wife Amy, Mark Blaess, Kristy Marsh and husband Francis, Kathi Andrew and husband Rick, and Jeff Killian; great-grandchildren Nicholas and Alex Stanbrough, Alison Blaess, Michael Blaess, Katelyn and Michael Marsh, Scott, Briana, and Trey Andrew; a sister Marjorie Schwien; a brother Clarence Schwien and wife Betty; and brother-in-law Hoyt Monroe. Services will be held Monday afternoon, November 7th at 2:00 p.m. at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone with Pastor Dick Dahle officiating. Interment will be in the Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone with full military honors conducted by the Boone Veterans Council. Friends may call at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone Monday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service with the family present during that time to greet friends. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial may direct their gift to the family or to the Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone.