LaVern P. Drewes, 94, of Waterloo, died on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Wellspring Living Health Center of Friendship Village under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. He was born June 17, 1930, on the family farm near Artesian of rural Bremer County, Iowa, the son of August and Clara (Bochaus) Drewes. He married Connie Ann Brody on November 28, 1954, at Central Christian Church in Waterloo. Together they raised four children on their farm located north of Waterloo. Connie preceded him in death May 21, 2022

He attended a rural public school and St. Paul Lutheran Parochial School at Artesian until the 8th grade. At that time, because of his love of the land and farming, he then helped his dad farm. He later obtained his GED in 1986 from Hawkeye Institute of Technology. He served in the Army from January 1955 to December 1956 predominately in Hawaii. In addition to farming his own farm, LaVern worked at Rath's Packing Meat Company for 30 years in the canned ham department. He was a driver for Lanter Delivery System for several years after Rath's closed. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Waterloo. LaVern and Connie loved traveling, especially to Texas, dancing with the love of his life, and most of all spending time with his precious family.

He is survived by his four children, Terri (Rick) Anderson of Waterloo, Larry (Sara) Drewes of El Paso, Texas, Deb Drewes of Waterloo, and Bonnie (Jim) Robinson of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Jessica (Zach) Turner, Bryce (Kristin) Anderson, Chelsea (Adam) Faucher, Anna (Nick) Martinez, Andrew (Brittney) Drewes, Joshua (Isabela) Drewes, Isaac Drewes, Cossette (Jon) Wiederhold, and Gwen Robinson; and 13 great-grandchildren. He is, also, survived by two sisters-in-law, Maria Drewes and Ila Drewes and many nephews and nieces. LaVern is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Connie; two sisters and their husbands, Luella (George) Mohr and Bernita (Ait) Lauterbach and three brothers, Wilbert, Garold, and Ronald Drewes.

Visitation: Sunday, July 7, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo; and one hour before the Memorial Service at the church. Memorial Service: Monday, July 8, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at First Baptist Church, 434 Baltimore Street, Waterloo. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery with military rites by the Iowa Army National Guard, American Legion Post #138 and VFW Post #1623. Memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church, Cedar Valley Hospice, or to the family. Condolences may be left at www.LockeFuneralServices.com.