LaVerne D. "Verne" Meisner

December 4, 1938 – June 10, 2005 Whitewater/Waukesha, 66, of Waukesha, WI, passed away on Friday, June 10, 2005, at St. Luke's Hospital in Milwaukee, WI, due to a three year battle with Cancer. Verne was born on Dec. 4, 1938, in Milwaukee, WI, to Henry and Velma (nee Weyher) Meisner. Verne had been a full time musician for 57 years; he started playing the Accordion at age 8 and started his own band, Verne Meisner and the Polka Boys, at age 11. His first single recording debut in 1958 was Memories of Vienna & Polka Dancers Polka. After a tour of duty in the National Guard (Corporal SP4) he released his first album in 1961, A Polka and Waltz Holiday, which achieved a 5 star rating on the National Billboard chart. He composed over 60 songs, released 30 singles, 20 LP/CD's, 5 videos, and was under many recording labels such as: Paragon, Leaf, Cuca, American Music, American Sounds, VM, Bright, HG, Cleveland International, Smithsonian Folkways, and Meisner Mansion. He had 2 original blockbuster hits, Memories of Vienna and El Rio Drive. He had performed on numerous radio & television programs including ABC Network's In Search of America, hosted by Peter Jennings and his original composition the "Doreen Waltz" was featured in the motion picture Chump Change. Verne performed over 200 dates a year locally, Nationally and Internationally at many major venues such as: the Wisconsin State Fair, Summerfest, Wisconsin Dairy Expo, Wisconsin State Sesquicentennial in Washington, DC, Smithsonian Institute Folk-life Festival, The Lawrence Welk Theatre in Branson, MS, and at Las Vegas Casinos: Stardust, Hacienda, Orleans, and Monte Carlo. He has many text book features: Down-home Dairy Land, Between the Lines, Wisconsin Folklore, Wisconsin Bluebook, Illustrated History of Wisconsin Music; and a Novel feature, True Colors. Verne has earned 5 Lifetime Achievement Awards: Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame, Maryland Accordion Club, International Polka Association, Wisconsin State Polka Hall of Fame, and Ironworld Polka Hall of Fame. He also received 2 Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards and commendations from the Wisconsin State Governor and the Maryland State Governor. His unique style of music bridged the gap between post war giants and today's generation influencing many musicians nationally.

Survivors of Verne include a sister, Donna Harrington-Borger; a brother, Henry Jr. "Hank" Meisner; 3 aunts, Alice Meisner-Hartmann, Clara Meisner, and Dorothy Eggert; a uncle, Peter (Lorraine) Meisner; 1st wife, Judy Meisner, 2 sons, Steven (Barbara) Meisner, and Daniel Meisner; a daughter, Michelle (John) Bush; 5 grandchildren: Whitney, Lindsey, Austin, Tyler, and Anna; 8 nieces and nephews; and many other relatives. Verne was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Peter (Elizabeth) Meisner, and Alfred (Maude) Weyher; 4 uncles; and an aunt, and 2nd wife, Shirley Tyson-Meisner.

The memorial service will be held at 2PM on Tuesday, June 21st, 2005, at the First English Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. A celebration will be held immediately following the memorial service at The American Legion, 292 S. Wisconsin St., Whitewater, WI 53190. SKINDINGSRUDE FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family. The family would like to thank family, friends and fans and the wonderful Doctors, Nurses, and Staff for their support and care.