Conrad, Lavern E. 'Vern'

Lavern E. “Vern” Conrad, 83, of Dyersville, died Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at Finley Hospital, Dubuque, after a sudden illness. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where a parish Scripture service will be at 5 p.m. and an American Legion service at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, with burial in the church cemetery. Officiating will be the Rev. Robert Gross; military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 137.

Vern was born Sept. 17, 1926, in Cassville, Wis., the son of John and Bertha (Meyer) Conrad. He served in the U.S. Army just after World War II. He married Elizabeth Engling on Sept. 9, 1950, in North Buena Vista, Iowa. He worked at John Deere Dubuque Works for 30 years, retiring in the mid-1980s. In his retirement he worked with the grounds crew at the Dyersville Golf & Country Club for several years. Vern was a member of American Legion Post 137 and a retired Dyersville fireman. Vern was a life member of the Dyersville Sportsman Club and loved to be outdoors hunting, fishing, golfing and gardening. He also enjoyed listening to and singing along with music. Vern had a good sense of humor and a good joke was never far from his tongue.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; four children, Randy (Lori) Conrad and Shari (Joe) Scherrman, both of Dyersville, Bonnie (Ken) Foxen of Luxemburg and Scott (Jodie) Conrad of Solon; seven grandchildren, Tony (Josie) and Corey (Ali) Scherrman, Tim (Abby) and Michael Conrad, Nick and Josh Foxen and Amie Conrad; two great-grandchildren, Weston Scherrman and Elizabeth Scherrman; and one brother, Ed Conrad of Dyersville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Kenneth Conrad; and two sisters-in-law, Margaret and Florence Conrad.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimers Association.

Information available and condolences accepted at