Laverna Den Adel

Laverna (LJ) Den Adel, 83, passed away on October 12, 2023, at Trinity Center in Des Moines.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny). A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023, at The Mission Church (12001 Ridgemont Dr., Urbandale) with burial at 1:45 p.m. at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. The family encourages casual attire to be worn.
LJ was born on September 10, 1940, on a farm near Liberty Center, Iowa, to Lloyd and Jennie (Butterfield) Rawson. She graduated from Carlisle High School where she played basketball. Following graduation from AIB Business School, LJ worked for E. Wayne Cooley at the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union as his secretary.
LJ married Dave Den Adel on May 5, 1962, at Avon Community Church and they shared 61 wonderful years together. Together they enjoyed travelling the country hiking many national parks, hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon four times, and staying at Phantom Ranch.
LJ accepted Christ as her savior at Avon Community Church. She was an active member of The Mission Church where she was involved in the Women's Association, Vacation Bible School, and making gifts for her circle leaders each month.
LJ loved spending time with her family and supporting her grandchildren in their various activities. She also enjoyed crafting, decorating, and watching ISU basketball.
LJ is survived by her husband, Dave; son, Dave Jr. (Kathleen); grandchildren, Morgan, Jeffrey, and Chad; siblings, Genelle, Mike (Arlene), and Daleen; and many other family and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Dena; twin sister, Lavena; and sister, Twila.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Mission Church youth group, or Wesley Life Hospice.