Laverne Graus

Laverne J. Graus, 86, of Holdrege died Sunday, April 13, 2014 as the result of a traffic accident. Service is 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 23rd at All Faiths Funeral Home. Chaplain DeWane Dow will officiate. Burial of ashes will be in Grand Island City Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Navy and Grand Island Veterans Honor Guard. Gathering of family and friends will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Laverne was born October 22, 1927 at Elba, NE to Mike and Helen (Scwanzek) Graus. Survivors include Laverne’s children, Kenneth (Linda) Graus of Lexington, Peggy (Joe) Hays of Holdrege and Todd (Holly) Graus of Jackson, WY; and a sister, Dorothy Graus of Grand Island. Those also left to cherish his memory include seven grandchildren, Ryan Graus, Michael Graus, Jason (Lindsay) Hays, Scott (Natassia) Hays, Sydney Graus, Rebekah Graus and Gage Graus; three great-grandchildren, Cade Hays, Maddox Hays and Olivia Hays; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, of 67 years, on March 21, 2013; his parents; brothers, Edward Graus, Frank Graus, Ben Graus, Peter Graus and Henry Graus; sisters, Isabelle Nielsen, Kathryn Cochenour and Betty Becker; daughter-in-law, Susan Theis Graus; and mother-in-law, Flonnie Wagner Schmer. One of ten children, Laverne attended school in Elba and graduated in St. Paul, NE in 1944. Laverne served in the United States Navy at the end of WWII with a tour in the South Pacific, from Feb. 1, 1946 until his discharge Dec. 19, 1947. He was united in marriage to Joyce Wagner on April 11, 1946 in Council Bluffs, IA. The couple made their home in Columbus, Central City and Grand Island. They had lived at Primrose Retirement Center in Grand Island for several years and most recently, Laverne lived at Chrisoma West Homes in Holdrege. Laverne was employed in sales for Browns Auto Supply in Grand Island and Central City and later, in Grand Island, as an insurance agent for AAA Motorclub for 25 years before retiring in 1990. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Grand Island, the Platt Deutsche, American Legion and the NE Snowmobile Club. Laverne was a past scout leader with the Boy Scouts. He loved nature and all of his backyard birds and squirrels were his pets. He was an avid snowmobiler for many years, with many trips to Wyoming. He enjoyed accordion music and dearly loved polka dancing with his wife. He was a good father and grandfather who kept everyone entertained with his stories of his childhood and Navy years. Laverne was especially proud of all of his children, seven grandkids and three great-grandkids. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established in Laverne’s name.

Laverne Graus

October 22, 1927 - April 13, 2014

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Laverne Graus

October 22, 1927 - April 13, 2014

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support