The Life of LAVERNE E WALTERS
Laverne E. Walters, 90, died Thursday, December 30, 2010, at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Mr. Walters was born July 5, 1920. He attended schools in Des Moines. After graduating, he went to work for the City of Des Moines assisting the City Painter. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the Iowa National Guard. He was a member of the Iowa Guard when it was mobilized for federal service on February 10, 1941, and sent to Camp Claiborne, LA for training.
While home on leave, he married, Helen Ella Weilman, on June 25, 1941.
LaVerne was a WW II Veteran. He was a member of Company “D” 168th Regimental Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division (Red Bull), IA National Guard. He served in the North African Campaign, and in Italy until the end of the war in May 1945. Upon return home he received his honorable discharge at Jefferson Barracks, MO in June, 1945. He is the holder of The Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation (with 2 clusters), Infantry Combat Medals, European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medals, American Defense Medal, Campaign Service & Victory Medal, and the Efficiency-Honor-Fidelity Medal and Ribbons.
After discharge he returned to Des Moines for a few days and then moved to California where he lived until retirement in 1985. He then returned to Iowa for a few years before moving to Washington state where he lived until 1999, when he returned once again to Iowa.
Mr. Walter’s was a member of Southgate Masonic Lodge, (Consistory) Des Moines, Scottish Rite, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, Southgate Eastern Star, D.A.V., American Legion, VFW Post #9127, 34th Infantry Division Association, and Fort Des Moines United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Helen E. Walters, his parents, 3 sisters, and a great granddaughter. He is survived by his son, LaVerne E. Walters, Jr., a brother, Floyd H. Walters, Sr., four grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral services with military honors will be held 12 noon Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home with Reverend Kathy Sides officiating. A visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Burns Hospital.