Laverne Schaetzle

Surviving are 2 daughters: Lois (Ed Pesyna) Schaetzle of Denver, Colorado and Jane (Jim) Niehaus of New Vienna, Iowa and a son, James (Linda) Schaetzle of Dubuque; 5 grandchildren: Michelle Niehaus of Ft. Worth, TX, Tony (Angie) Niehaus of Ft. Worth, TX, Shawn Niehaus of Chicago, IL, Brian (Tiphanie) Schaetzle of Cedar Falls, IA and Katie Schaetzle of Dubuque, IA; 4 great grandchildren, Isaiah and Josiah Schaetzle; and Jenna and Zach Niehaus, 1 sister, Lucille Stephens of Davenport, IA, and 3 sisters-in-law: Joy Schaetzle of New Vienna, Lorraine Schuster and Clarabelle Baum, both of Dyersville. Mish was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, in 2006, and 4 siblings: Louis Schaetzle, Julien Schaetzle, Laura Blamey and Virginia Schaetzle. Laverne was born Sept. 19, 1913 in New Vienna, Iowa the son of Henry T. and Mary O. (Hoefer) Schaetzle. He graduated from St. Boniface High School in New Vienna with the Class of 1932. He served his country in the US Army during WWII in the Central Europe Campaign from Feb. 1942 until Nov. 1945, earning a Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal. On Feb. 2, 1944 he married Mary M. Loes at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville. Mish was an auto mechanic, working with McGowan and Early Ford prior to the war. After the war, he returned to Dyersville working for Hogan Motor Company and retired from Tauke Motors after 38 years. He was a member of Amercan Legion Post 137 for over 62 consecutive years. He enjoyed visiting with family, friends and neighbors, telling his favorite story about how he earned his nickname. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 4 p.m. and an American Legion Service will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 137.