Lavern Patterson

Lavern Patterson, 91, of Cedar Falls, died Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at Cedar Falls Health Care Center. He was born October 9, 1921 in Aredale, Iowa, the son of William and Emma (Ubben) Patterson. Lavern graduated from Aredale High School in 1939 and moved to Waterloo. Shortly thereafter, he started working at the Illinois Central Railroad. When WW II broke out, Lavern was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as a medic from October 16, 1942 until being discharged on February 16, 1946. During the service of his country, he saw action in the United States, Europe, France, Japan and the Philippines. While on a weekend pass, Lavern married the love of his life, Evelyn Seaboch on January 30, 1943 in Joplin, Missouri. Evelyn preceded him in death on November 14, 2012, just two months prior to them celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. After being discharged from the military service in 1946, Lavern and Evelyn returned to Waterloo, where he was employed at Shepherd Lumber Company for many years. After leaving Shepherd Lumber Company, Lavern worked at Baird Concrete, until becoming owner and operator of Henry E. Shapley Company. Lavern's survivors include two daughters; Charlene (Russell) Buck of Rockport, Texas and Linda (Donovan) Burke of Cedar Falls, Iowa, three grandchildren; Shawn (Karla) Chestnut, Lance (Olivia) Chestnut, and Laura Nolan; eight great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Lavern is also survived by three nephews; Dean (Kris) Patterson of California, Patrick (Pauline) Patterson of Arizona, and Michael (Angie) Stevens of Cedar Falls, Iowa, several cousins, a host of "extended" family of the Cedar Falls Health Care Center, and his favorite "grand dog", Winston. Lavern was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, one brother, Victor Patterson, two sisters, Thelma Stevens and her twin, Velma Patterson, and one niece, Carol Schumacher. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 19, 2013 at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home with burial in Cedar Valley Memorial Garden, both in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof funeral home and one hour before services on Friday. Military Honors will be conducted by Cedar Falls AMVETS post 49. Memorials may be directed to Iowa Hospice or Wounded Warriors. Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.