Zumbach, Laverne

Laverne Zumbach, 83, died Saturday, June 2, 2012, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Peace Lutheran Church, Ryan, with interment at Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Marlene; four children, Diane Zumbach, Coralville, Larry (Rosemarie) Zumbach, Farmington, Minn., Loren (Susan) Zumbach, Coggon, and Lyle (Dianna) Zumbach, Cedar Rapids; nine grandchildren, Maren, Tawny and Shannon Cuykendall, Laura and Lisa Zumbach, Jennifer (Matt) Tyson, Brett Zumbach, Gretchen (Nick) Mundorf and Ingrid Zumbach; four great-grandchildren, Rory Mundorf, Luke, Ashley andDaniel Tyson; his brother, Myron (Carol) Zumbach, Coggon; and a sister-in-law, Velma Zumbach, Monticello.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a great-granddaughter, Olivia Tyson; and two brothers, Louis and Elmer (Mary) Zumbach.

Laverne John Zumbach was born March 27, 1929, on the family farm near Ryan, Iowa, the son of Louis and Rose (Messerli) Zumbach. Laverne attended Buck Creek Schools for his early education. He graduated from the Coggon High School. Laverne then started his life's work as a farmer. Laverne J. Zumbach and Marlene Rose Garner were married Dec. 10, 1950, at the United Methodist Church, Coggon. The couple farmed in the Ryan and Coggon area until 1979, when they moved to a farm near Monticello. After moving to the Monticello farm, Laverne developed a passion for miniature horses, raising and breeding a considerable herd. He was a member of the American Miniature Horse Association.

Laverne was a lifelong member of Peace Lutheran Church at Ryan, where he was baptized and confirmed. He served on many boards and committees at church.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

Published June 4, 2012 in The Gazette