Lavern E. Anderson, Janesville  (1933 - 2009)

May 28, 1933 - June 13, 2009
Lavern E. Anderson, 76, of Janesville, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2009, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg, WI. Vern was born in Stoughton on May 28, 1933, the youngest of four sons of William and Mary Kerin Anderson. He grew up on the family farm near Cooksville in Dunkirk Township, attended Oaklawn country school, and graduated from Stoughton High School in 1951. He studied agronomy in the School of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, while dairy farming and serving in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Vern married Mary Frances Brown of Madison on Jan. 2, 1962. Their marriage was blessed with four children of whom he was very proud, three children-in-law, and four grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly.
Vern graduated from Milton College in 1965 with a degree in education and Spanish. He later received his Masters degree and Library Science certification from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. His career included teaching elementary Spanish in Beloit, fifth and sixth grades at Turner Township and Happy Hollow Schools, and serving as the librarian/media center specialist at Lincoln Elementary School in Janesville. He retired in June, 2006, after 41 years as an educator.
When his children were younger, Vern taught Catechism classes at Saint Patrick and Saint John Vianney parishes, served on the Saint Mary’s school board, led 4-H activities, helped coordinate the ECHO Christmas dinner, and served as manager of concessions, personnel and advertising for the Rock County 4-H Fair. After retirement, he was a volunteer for ECHO, the Janesville Literacy Council, Rotary Gardens, Mercy Hospital, the Rock County Historical Society, the Janesville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and HospiceCare Inc.
Vern belonged to Saint John Vianney Catholic Parish and was a member of the Adult Catholic Sprit Club, the Janesville Area Retired Educators Association, and the Wisconsin Retired Teachers Association. He retained a lifelong interest in agriculture and farming. He and Mary especially enjoyed being baptism and marriage preparation sponsors for many Saint John Vianney couples and families.
Lavern is survived by his deeply loved wife, Mary; his children: Maribeth (Jim) Buggs of Pewaukee, Will (Mary Edith) Anderson of Mt. Pleasant, MI, Margaret (Igor) Vaysman of New York City, and Ellen Anderson of Chicago; four grandchildren: Kathryn Buggs, Eva Anderson, and Lily and David Vaysman; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers: Earl, Kenneth, and Don Anderson.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at SAINT JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH, Janesville, with Fr. Randy Timmerman officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at the CHURCH, where a Rosary service will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family. If desired, memorials may be made to ECHO, The Salvation Army, HospiceCare Inc., or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences and guestbook available at: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com
Vern welcomed eternity with great faith and trust in God’s welcoming and loving presence and being.