LaVern Kammeyer, 67
LaVern Kammeyer, age 67 of Fredericksburg, died Monday, May 3, 2021, at his home.
A Funeral Service was held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg, with Pastor Michael Bremer celebrating the service. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery with Lennie Drewelow, Bill Drewelow, Duane Carpenter, Steve Pleggenkuhle, Brad Ellison, Dean Rowe and Harold "Doc" Nordaas serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Papa's grands.
Friends greeted the family from 4 - 8 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2021 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg. Visitation continued an hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.
LaVern was born on February 15, 1954, to Wilmer and Leona (Denner) Kammeyer in New Hampton. He was welcomed home on the family farm by his older sister, Carol.
As a young boy he loved farming, and his passion for working the land and with animals proved to be his life's calling. Even though he often joked that a picture of him as a toddler feeding the chickens was "proof of child labor" he was always proud of his family's farm and his work later in life as a do-it-all amazing farm manager at Drewelow Farms.
LaVern went to Fredericksburg schools, where before graduating, from high school he participated in band, FFA, and football. LaVern was not the biggest guy on the field but he is often remembered as tenacious and one of the hardest hitters to ever don a Falcons' uniform. He may have been small, but he was mighty. After graduating in 1972, LaVern worked for area farmers, Meinerz Creamery for a few years, and ultimately spent the last 30 plus years working as the farm manager for Harvey Drewelow.
One day in March of 1995, Harvey suggested Shirley Macomber return her keys to a home she had rented to his farmhand, LaVern. Shirley was hesitant, but ultimately went ahead and took LaVern the keys. There was an instant connection and LaVern and Shirley began dating soon after. Harvey's match-making worked and LaVern and Shirley were married just over a year later, on July 5th, 1996, in a garden ceremony, at Gene and Grace Nelson's home, in Fredericksburg. Shirley had two daughters - Tiffany and Lacey - who instantly became LaVern's daughters too. They may not have had his blood, that was not John Deere green as he often told people it was, or his last name, but they were his daughters in every way that mattered. And they loved him as the dad he was to them. They often said he was the man who not only stepped in, but he stepped up and was there for them any time they needed. And sometimes, that was a lot. He was known for rescuing them from many of the pickles they would find themselves in. And LaVern was always there to celebrate the good times. He was such a powerful force in their lives growing up, that when the girls got older and began having families of their own, they happily upgraded his role in their lives to "Papa" to their 11 children. He was so proud of that role and would happily show off his Papa attire. It was clear to his girls that he was born to be their children's Papa. LaVern was known for, and prided himself, on being a hard worker.
He fed cattle and worked the ground, Shirley referred to him as a “dirt magnet” as he simply couldn’t stay clean once out the door. He did not refer to it as “spreading manure” it was “sanitation” duties and he was quite proud to have a license from DNR to spread s#*t. He had cow/calf stock cows and feeders, and he cared for the animals and farm as if it were his own. He would work hard, so he could play hard. He loved his trips with Shirley and the girls. He would say he couldn't get anywhere without his co-pilot, Shirley, as the two made a great traveling pair. Over the years LaVern and Shirley visited most of the lower 48 states, only missing the Northeast corner, but LaVern's preference was out West. His heart was with Shirley in a portion of Northwest Montana in and around Glacier, where the two spent many weeks over the years, hiking many miles of the mountain trails. LaVern always wanted to hike around the next bend, because up around the next turn he knew he was going to experience a whole new view of the world. And he took in some of the most majestic views. His heart was always with Shirley but he was happiest with her in the mountains of Montana. LaVern also loved spending time with "The Brat" Oliver, his and Shirley's Golden Doodle. Those two were quite the duo with their shaggy hair and love for walking the trail together almost every day. Oscar the llama, and Otis the miniature donkey, were also loved by LaVern. LaVern was known by his family as being "the animal whisperer", it seemed he was always making friends with animals.
LaVern had a compassionate heart, a listening ear, a shoulder for crying, an opinion when needed, and a love for a good laugh. Oh, how he loved to laugh. He was a hardworking farmer, an amazing husband, best friend and soulmate to Shirley, a great dad, a fantastic Papa, and an all-around awesome man. As our hearts break for the loss of the center of our world, we are comforted by the memories and still hear his common phrases. One of which he would often say when ending a conversation, and how we feel he would have ended this, until we meet again LaVern, and with all our love, as he would say, "Well, I'll catch ya later."
LaVern is survived by his wife Shirley of Fredericksburg, IA; two daughters, Tiffany (Michael) Lloyd of Waterloo, IA, Lacey (Todd) Kelley of Fredericksburg, IA; 11 grandchildren, Mishayla, Isac, Vinny, Maeli, Gabriel, Connor, Collins, Kasen, Kass, Michael, Dean; one sister, Carol (Gary) Kalvig of Ionia, IA; niece Lori (Eric) Lohmann and their children Austin and Carly all of Tripoli, IA; two brothers-in-law, Larry Macomber of North Carolina, Ron (Trish) Macomber of New Hampton, IA; along with other family members and friends, especially his dog Oliver “the brat”.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Wayne and Harriet Macomber; sister-in-law, Carol Macomber, and special friend Ed Hartson.
