Laverne Knudsen
February 21, 1928 — January 7, 2011
Russell “LaVerne” Knudsen of Eureka, died on Friday, January 7, 2011 at Eureka Nursing Center in Eureka at the age of 82.
He was born on February 21, 1928, in Wichita, the son of Russell Roscoe and Nina Myrtle (Finnigan) Knudsen. He was raised in Wichita and attended local schools. In 1946, the family moved to a farm near Climax. In 1951, LaVerne joined the United States Army serving as a ski trooper in Alaska. He was discharged in 1953 and returned to Climax. He worked as a carpenter and painter living in the Eureka-Climax areas.
On June 19, 1981, LaVerne was united in marriage to Opal (Wonser) Burner in Miami, Oklahoma. They made their home in Eureka. LaVerne was a member of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Opal of the home; five children, daughter, Judy Knudsen of Eureka; son, Robert Burner of Eureka; son, Jim Burner of Douglas; daughter, Virginia Uitts of Eureka; and son, Will Burner of Latham; fifteen grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bill Knudsen of Eureka; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Carl.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at Koup Family Funeral Home, in Eureka with Pastor Gary Boles of the Moline Christian Church officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to AseraCare Hospice or to the Jefferson Street Baptist Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home at P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which was in charge of service arrangements.
He was born on February 21, 1928, in Wichita, the son of Russell Roscoe and Nina Myrtle (Finnigan) Knudsen. He was raised in Wichita and attended local schools. In 1946, the family moved to a farm near Climax. In 1951, LaVerne joined the United States Army serving as a ski trooper in Alaska. He was discharged in 1953 and returned to Climax. He worked as a carpenter and painter living in the Eureka-Climax areas.
On June 19, 1981, LaVerne was united in marriage to Opal (Wonser) Burner in Miami, Oklahoma. They made their home in Eureka. LaVerne was a member of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Opal of the home; five children, daughter, Judy Knudsen of Eureka; son, Robert Burner of Eureka; son, Jim Burner of Douglas; daughter, Virginia Uitts of Eureka; and son, Will Burner of Latham; fifteen grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bill Knudsen of Eureka; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Carl.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at Koup Family Funeral Home, in Eureka with Pastor Gary Boles of the Moline Christian Church officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to AseraCare Hospice or to the Jefferson Street Baptist Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home at P.O. Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045, which was in charge of service arrangements.
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