LaVern Arthur White

Northwood - LaVern Arthur White, 88, died Sunday, April 21, 2013, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.

A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 25, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. South, Northwood, with Pastor Don Preston of Bethel United Methodist in Manly, and Trinity United Methodist Church in Bolan officiating.

Full military honors will be conducted by members of the Grafton American Legion, and Mason City Veterans of Foreign Wars.

A public gathering will be held from 5 until 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. South, Northwood.

Burial will be in the Grafton Cemetery.

LaVern A. White was born on April 28, 1924, in Grafton, the son of Vern and Eleanora (Schmidt) White. He attended Grafton Community School and graduated from Grafton High School. Shortly after his graduation, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served under General Patton.

He is a World War II veteran, having fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and is decorated with the Good Conduct Medal; Army of Occupation Medal (Germany); European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, with three bronze stars, Victory Medal, as well as three Overseas Service Bars and one Service Stripe.

He was united in marriage to Suzanne Stephanie Chalmet on March 21, 1946, in Antwerp, Belgium, where the couple met during World War II. Suzanne moved to the U.S. to live with LaVern's parents until his return shortly following the war.

LaVern began farming in the Grafton area and did carpentry work, at which time he also managed the lumber yard in Grafton. LaVern became a rural mail carrier in 1961 for the United States Postal Service until retiring in 1990. LaVern devoted much of his time to remodeling, and building homes in the Grafton area. He was a skilled furniture refinisher as well. LaVern opened his own auction business "Grafton Auctioneering", and teamed up with Seeck Auctioneering. He continued that for nearly 20 years. He and his wife Suzanne also owned their own antique shop called "Past Time Antiques" at one point. He was especially fond of, and had extensive knowledge in carnival glassware, and travel all around the U.S. conducting auctions.

LaVern and Suzanne had two very special Pomeranians named Tippy and Snookie, which they loved. Later in life he enjoyed collecting toy model cars. He was full of life and loved to sing with his family which they nicknamed "The Whites," as well as dancing with his beautiful wife. He will be remembered as being a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

He was a member of the American Legion and lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Mason City. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge in Mason City, and a member of the Federal Employees and the Grafton City Council.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Suzanne White of Northwood; his children, Jerry (Terri) White of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Janice Ask of Northwood; four grandchildren, Shae (Jeremy) Martinez of Denver, Colo., Stephanie (Mike) Hejna of Clear Lake, Eric (Jessica) Ask of Kasson, Minn., and Jennifer Ask of Minneapolis, Minn.; six great-grandchildren; his brothers and sisters, Art (JoAnn) White of Grafton, Dorothy (Forrest) Urbatsch of Manly, Jay (Jeanie) White of Grafton, and Gloria (Lavern) Robeoltman of Iowa Falls; as well as many other extended family members and friends.

Lavern was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Margie Arzberger and brother-in-law Rueben Arzberger.

Conner Colonial Chapel, 641-324-1543, www.colonialchapels.  com.