Lavera (Kolbeck) Gustaf-Casjens

Rock Rapids, IA LaVera (Kolbeck) Gustaf - Casjens, age 74 of Rock Rapids, IA died Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Kindred Hospital in Westminster, CA. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, May 29th at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Father Bruce Lawler as Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Holy Name Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA. Visitation will be Thursday, May 28th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids. There will be a Rosary and Vigil Service at 6:45PM Thursday evening at the church. LaVera Mae was born November 22, 1940 at Humboldt, South Dakota, the daughter of Anton and Mary (Harpenau) Kolbeck. She attended St. Ann's Grade School and Humboldt High School. She continued her education at cosmetology school. LaVera was married to Terry Gustaf on June 9, 1960 in Humboldt, SD. The couple moved to Rock Rapids, IA. Three sons were born to this union, Jim, Dave and Rick. On December 17, 2008 LaVera married Floyd "Hermie" Casjens in Rock Rapids. LaVera was characterized most by her snorting laugh and always added a spark to the conversations she was involved in. She loved her family and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her sisters and brothers, children, grandchildren and great grandchild. Lavera loved to golf, fish, cross-stitch, and play Mahjong. The last 6 and half years of her life she loved spending time in California with Hermie sitting by the beach, visiting family, friends and road trips between California, Texas, and Iowa. She is survived by her husband Floyd (Hermie) Casjens of Rock Rapids, IA; three sons, Jim (Karla) Gustaf, Dave (Tami) Gustaf, both of Ft. Worth, TX and Rick (Dena) Gustaf of Bigelow, MN; seven grandchildren, Eric (Amie), Alex(Tori), Brendon, Tyler, Chelsea, Hannah Gustaf, Alyssa (Dan) Clausen and Nate Gustaf; one great-grandchild (Harrison); one brother, Gene (Donalda) Kolbeck of Dell Rapids, SD; four sisters, Millie Heiberger of Salem, SD, LaVonne Munce of Harford, SD, Janette (Fran)Krier of Sioux Falls, SD and Rozanne (Joe) Hanisch of Hartford, SD; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Mary Kolbeck; husband of 41 years, Terry Gustaf; a granddaughter, Karlee Gustaf; three brothers, Donald, Sylvester and Bob Kolbeck; two sisters, Delores Stevens and Marian Velder (Heisinger); three brothers-in-law, Cy Heiberger, Russ Stevens and Gene Munce.