Obit: Van Laarhoven, Vernon C. (1932 - 2012)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bolstad, Dacon, Estrada, Reinhold, Rothamer, Van Horn, Van Laarhoven, Zastrow

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 04/19/2012

Van Laarhoven, Vernon C. (19 JUL 1932 - 12 APR 2012)

Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial for Vernon C. Van Laarhoven, 79, a resident of Blue Grass, Iowa, were held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 16, 2012 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, 333 W. Lotte St., Blue Grass.

Burial was in Blue Grass Cemetery. Vernon died on Thursday, April 12 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

Vernon Carl Van Laarhoven was born on July 19, 1932 in Medford, the son of Martin and Ludmilla (Rothamer) Van Laarhoven. He was united in marriage to Eunice Bolstad on November 21, 1953. He proudly served in the United States Army from December 1954 to May 1956.

Vern grew up on the family farm in Medford until his military service called him into action. Following his military discharge, he returned to the family farm until he took a job in Chippewa Falls with American National Insurance. He was transferred to Davenport, Iowa, to manage the American National Insurance office and moved them into a building which he built on West Locust. His memberships included St. Andrew's Church, Life Underwriters, NAIFA, Northwest Davenport Businessmen's Association and Davenport Chamber of Commerce.

Vern's competitive spirit led him to excel in many card games, he also liked to play golf and ping pong and enjoyed maintaining his garden. He was a licensed pilot and loved to fly his Cessna aircraft.

Memorials may be made to St. Andrew's Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eunice, and their children, Charles Van Laarhoven of Buffalo, Iowa, Carla Dacon of Rock Island, Ill., and Sherry (Tom) Estrada of Blue Grass; five grandchildren, Heather (Nick) Van Horn, Eric (Molly) Van Laarhoven, Aaron Dacon, Andy Dacon and Anthony Van Laarhoven; three great-grandchildren, Jordan, Chloe and Nathan; and two sisters, LaVerne (Lyle) Zastrow of River Falls and Josephine Reinhold of Hollywood, Fla.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Van Laarhoven.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Vern's obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.