Memorial services for LaVerne “Vern” E. Olson will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea veterans organizations. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery at a later date.

LaVerne died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. He was 86.

He was born July 2, 1931, in Albert Lea, the son of Vernal and Arlene (Fredrickson) Olson.

He grew up during the Great Depression living a simple life. Vern served his country in the Korean conflict. He married Vera Kaushagen and raised two daughters and a son. He spent many years living on St. Olaf Lake. They were later divorced.

Vern was an over-the-road trucker driving his own truck. He had many friends and was known as “Jellybean.”

Vern retired in 1993 and married Joanne Bergland. He enjoyed yardwork and putting up Christmas lights and decorations for the holidays.

Vern is survived by his wife, Joanne; his children Debra (Gene) Drasher of Albert Lea and Roy E. Olson of Albert Lea; grandchildren Tom (Christine) Drasher of Plymouth, Daniel (Vicki) Drasher of Eagan, Stacy (Vern) Florek of Monticello, Laura Olson and Troy Olson of Duluth and Casey Stanley of Minneapolis; several great-grandchildren; stepchildren Deb (Dick) Polley of Albert Lea, Stan (Audrey) Smith of Ekron, Kentucky, and John (Barb) Smith of Eyota; step-grandchildren Angie Thostenson of Kasson, Jessica (Tom) Mafale of Rosemount, R.J. Polley of Eagan, Bruce (Billie) Lewis of Eagan, Tandy Lewis of Delano, Willie (Natasha) Lewis of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Janeile Smith of Texas and Joshua Smith of Eyota; many step-great- and great-great-grandchildren; brother, LeRoy(Mary) Olson; sister, Darlene (Jim) Koski; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law John and Marlene Anderson, Mary and Dwight Stevens and Sandi and Bobby Fisher; several nieces and nephews and his special pet friend, Odie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jeanette Johnson; and stepson, Jay Bergland.

LaVerne had a heart of gold and will be greatly missed by his family.