LaVerne E. Thode, 85, of Arlington, Iowa, died peacefully on Friday morning, March 6, 2026, at Friendship Village-Lakeview Lodge in Waterloo.
Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Arlington with Rev. Susan Friedrich officiating.
Visitation: 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Interment: Taylorsville Cemetery, Arlington, Iowa, with Military Graveside Services.
A Memorial Fund has been established.
Condolences may be directed to: 2649 220th Avenue, Delhi, Iowa 52223.
Online obituary at http://www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com
LaVerne Elmer Thode was born February 17, 1941, in Arlington, Iowa, the son of Elmer W. & Beulah Mae (Walters) Thode. He was raised in Arlington and graduated from Arlington High School in the class of 1959.
LaVerne was united in marriage to Carol Jean Burrack on June 23, 1962, at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington, Iowa. They were blessed with three children: Penny, Darla and Greg. They raised their children in Arlington. During this time, he honorably served his country in the Army National Guard from 1964 to 1974.
LaVerne loved being a truck driver. The day after his high school graduation, he started work as a truck driver with his dad at Thode Trucking. The trucking company grew over the years to multiple trucks and drivers. After the passing of his dad in 1982, LaVerne drove for Todd Transport and Heartland Express until driving independently to all the states except California and Hawaii. LaVerne always drove a Peterbilt tractor and in the era of C.B. radio’s, his handle was “Woodpecker.” His favorite runs were to New York. Throughout his life, LaVerne made an effort to keep in touch with all of his drivers and families. To him, they were truly his second family. In his retirement, LaVerne drove locally for farmers and the Arlington Coop. Following his retirement, Carol and LaVerne moved to Oelwein and then to Waterloo to be near family.
LaVerne was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington and had been a volunteer with the Arlington Fire Department. In their younger years, LaVerne and Carol took their children on multiple vacations and camping trips with the Gomer and Virginia Smith family. When the children were in school activities, he tried his best to include stopping to watch their events during his travels. LaVerne enjoyed being in the local snow mobile club, visiting with the neighbors after supper while sitting on the front porch, playing cards and pool at the Welcome Inn and watching NASCAR races with Carol.
LaVerne is survived by his 3 Children: Penny (Larry) Rummel of Waterloo, Darla Fridley (Tim Benn) of Delhi & Greg (Kathy) Thode of Sioux City; Grandchildren: Storm (Tessa) Rummel, Joelle (Nash) Airy, Marcus Fridley & Cole Benn; Great Grandchildren: Atlas Rummel, Astoria Rummel, Taysom Rummel, Daxton Airy & Bode Airy and a Sister-In-Law: Phyllis Morgan of Arlington.
LaVerne was preceded in death by his parents and his wife: Carol on February 18, 2023.
The family would like to thank the staff of Friendship Village for their compassion and care of LaVerne. Also, a special thanks to our family and friends for all of their love and support.
jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com