Lavern Gibbs Sr., 83, died Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a short term illness.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 Saturday morning, August 10, 2024, at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa with interment in the Olin Cemetery.  Friends may call from 4 until 7 Friday August 9, 2024.  Pastor C.W. Slaton will officiate at the services.   In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Thoughts, Memories and Condolences may be left at www. goettschonline.com.

Surviving is his wife, Carolyn, 4 sons, Lavern Jr. (Dawn), Christopher (Becky), Carl (Lisa), Paul (Brenda), 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 2 sisters, Lorraine LaGrange and Gloria Robbins.  He was preceded by his parents and a brother Melvin.

Lavern Marion Gibbs was born February 24, 1941, in Iowa City, Iowa.  He was the son of Glen and Violet Romig, Gibbs.  Lavern graduated from the Edgewood High School in 1959.  He started working at Pinicon Ford and later as a farm hand for 2 farmers and then at Wilson Foods.  He completed his working career as a custodian for the Linn Mar School system working for them for 36 1/2 years.  He retired in 2010. Lavern was united in marriage to Carolyn McDonald on June 18, 1961, at the United Methodist Church, Central City.

Lavern was active in the churches he belonged to including Twin Pines Baptist, Fairview Baptist, and the Walford Fountain Church.  Time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was important.  He and Carolyn volunteered as foster grandparents in the Cedar Rapids area.  He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards and stock car races.