LaVerne T. Austin

1918 - 2011

LaVerne Austin died on April 14, 2011, at her home in Wesley Acres after a long fight with cancer. She was born in 1918 on her parents' farm near Kiron, Iowa, in Ida County. She came to Des Moines as a young woman, and there she met and married Kenneth R. Austin. After Ken returned from service as a Naval Officer during World War II, the couple spent their entire adult lives in Des Moines. They had two children, Marilyn Austin and Alan Austin, both of whom now live in Northern California.
LaVerne was a community leader and volunteer throughout her many years in Des Moines. She served as President of many organizations including Des Moines Women's Club, the Young Business Women's Home, the Wesley Acres Guild, United Methodist Women at her church, her PEO Chapter and PEO Reciprocity. She was a leader in organizing the BWA Foundation and the Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation, and she served on the boards of both. She also served on many other non-profit boards including First United Methodist Church, South Iowa Methodist Homes (then the parent of Wesley Acres), Esther Hall and Hawthorn Hall.
LaVerne's husband, Ken, was the President and CEO of Equitable of Iowa. Like LaVerne, he was a community leader, serving in many roles including as President of Greater Des Moines United Way and as a trustee of Drake University and Simpson College. The multi-story Helpful Living area at Wesley Acres is named the Austin Center in recognition of the support that LaVerne and Ken provided to that institution over many years.
LaVerne served her family and friends faithfully throughout her life. She was a great wife and mother and a devoted grandmother, spending many weeks in California helping to care for her grandchildren. Many residents of Wesley Acres and other elderly friends benefitted from her tireless efforts to help them with the needs of daily life during their last years.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; her parents, Edwin and Ruth (Larson) Turin; and two of her three sisters, DeLoris Turin and Renea Ogren. She is survived by her two children, Marilyn and Alan; her remaining sister, Marian Sonichsen of Arthur, Iowa; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family extends special thanks to the staff members of Wesley Acres Assisted Living and Wesleylife Hospice for their professionalism and kindness during LaVerne's last illness.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 22, at Iles Funeral Homes, Dunn's Chapel, 2121 Grand Avenue, in Des Moines. The memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at First United Methodist Church, 1001 Pleasant Street, in Des Moines. Interment will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wesley Acres Good Samaritan Fund, First United Methodist Church, or the charity of the donor's choice.