Lavern Boedeker

Lavern D. Boedeker, age 68 of Calamus, passed away in his home with his family by his side on Thursday morning, February 27, 2025. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Wheatland on Wednesday, March 5 at 3:00 p.m. with Pastors Carolyn Keck and Tessa Cavey officiating. Visitation will also be held at St. Paul’s on Tuesday, March 4 from 4-7 p.m. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Calamus.

Vern was born June 19,1956 in DeWitt, Iowa and was united in marriage to Joyce Weiss on May 29, 1988 at St. John’s Church in Bliedorn, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife Joyce; sons Rex (Lori) Gerdes of Calamus and Chad (Renee) Gerdes of Solon; granddaughters Samantha (Blake) Woodbury, Ronnie (Bryce Matthew) Gerdes, and Addy Gerdes; great grandchildren Presley and Delilah Woodbury; siblings Orville (Janet) Boedeker of Wheatland, Orland Boedeker of Toronto, LuAnna Holdorf of Davenport, Larry (Sharon) Boedeker of Calamus, Lucille (Tom) Oseland of Manistee, MI; and sister-in-law Judy Boedeker of Wheatland.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Owen.

Vern was on the Calamus City Council for over 20 years and was a trustee at St. John’s Church in Bliedorn before his health no longer allowed. He was a lifelong Bears and Cubs fan and enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, doing side jobs, participating in parades, and restoring his 1946 truck with the help of his wife and brother. His true love was golfing. Vern was an active member of the Wapsi Oaks Country Club and has a hole in one that he shot at the 3/30 Club in Lowden.