Droste, LaVern N. 'Red'

LaVern N. “Red” Droste, 85, of Waterloo, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, at Rosewood Estate of Friendship Village.

Mr. Droste was born Aug. 5, 1926, in Tripoli, son of Leo and Edna Lahmann Droste. He married Eleanor “June” Graham on May 20, 1944, she died March 31, 2007. He was the owner of a number of businesses including Red's Auto, Woodland Terrace Mobile Home Park and The Sound Room/Red's CB for over 40 years. He also had an extensive stock car racing career.

Red is survived by son, Steve (Roxy); daughter-in-law, Pam Droste; four grandchildren; and six great grandchildren, all of Waterloo.

Also surviving are sisters, Mary (Ralph) Hammond of Vancouver, Wash., and Sharon of Waterloo; brothers, Jim (Connie) and Chuck (Diann), all of Waterloo; and longtime business partner, Dave Graham.

He was preceded in death by his wife, June; son, Rich; and sisters, Jeanette Ladage and JoAnn Boeckmann.

Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo, with burial in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at Locke Funeral Home, (319) 233-6138.

Memorials to Allen Hospice.

Condolences may be left at .

Published in The Gazette Nov. 16, 2011.