NEWHALL:  LaVerne Gessner, 82, died Friday, November 14, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids following a brief illness.
     LaVerne was born May 10, 1926 at Watkins to John Michael and Sadie Mae (Stevenson) Gessner.  She was a homemaker and a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church and the Catholic Order of Foresters for over 50 years
Her parents and two brothers, Arnold Gessner and Verle Gessner, preceded her in death.
     Survivors include her two sisters-in-law, Rosemary Gessner of Newhall, Florence Gessner of Macon, MO; one nephew, John (Susan) Gessner of Watkins; three nieces, Marlene (Curt) DoBraska of Centerville, Joyce (Randy) Bieber of Centerville, Mary (Barry) Garvin of Muscatine and twelve great nieces and nephews.
      A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Newhall with Father Jack McClure as Celebrant.  Interment will be held at St. Patrick's and St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery near Watkins.  Public Visitation will also be held at the church in Newhall from 4 until 7 PM on Monday, where a Vigil Service will be held at 7 PM.
     A memorial fund has been established.
     Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.