Darrel A Lavene

Memorial Services for Darrel A. Lavene will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska with Pastor Daniel Landin officiating.  A private interment will be held prior to the service at the Robb Cemetery in rural Gosper County, Nebraska.

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; the Lavene family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend Darrel's visitation and memorial service, based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community. His funeral service will be live streamed via the Hope Lutheran Church Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/HopeLutheranChurchSmithfield

Darrel Allen Lavene, 77 years of age, left this earth on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at his home in Bertrand, surrounded by his family.  Darrel was born in Lexington, Nebraska, on May 5, 1944, to Paul and Dorothy (Bonser) Lavene, the second oldest of five children.  Darrel was baptized July 2, 1944 and confirmed May 1958, at the Hope Lutheran Church in Smithfield, Nebraska.  With his family, Darrel grew up on a farm north of Bertrand.  Being a farm kid, he had responsibilities for helping with daily chores of milking cows, gathering eggs, and helping with crops.  He attended Pleasant Hill School, located across the road from the family farm, through 6th grade and then attended Bertrand Community School until he graduated in 1962.

On January 18, 1963, he married Veronica K. Phillippi in Lexington and the two of them began their life together on a farm northeast of Bertrand, until they bought their own farm, just 2 miles from where he grew up.  Darrel and Veronica had 3 children.  Darrel continued farming with his dad and began to establish his own farm.  Farming for Darrel was a variety of adventures from raising animals (sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, and a horse or two) to raising crops (wheat, milo, corn, and beans).  Besides his wife and kids, he found help from many young men over the years, always having a hired hand around.  In 1991, he became a cattle buyer and established DAL Cattle Company and with his son, Troy, he established TD Cattle in 1993.  Farming and raising cattle were his livelihood until he retired in 2014.

A love equal to farming was a love of sports.  He found time to participate in all sports, throughout high school.  After high school, he played on the Alfalfa League baseball team in the 1960's.  After baseball, he played on a men's softball team and once his son was old enough to play baseball, he began a career of coaching baseball.  His coaching career lasted 14 years.  After participating and coaching sports, he settled in as a spectator on the bleachers, watching his kids and grandkids.  He also enjoyed watching professional and college sports on TV, especially the Cleveland Browns and Indians.  The radio was always tuned into a game as he worked in the field.

Another favorite hobby was fishing.  He was always ready for a fish fry.  During the 1970's and 1980's, whenever the baseball calendar was clear or whenever the rainfall totals were enough to suspend farming for a day or two, the family spent time fishing, boating and staying at their cabin on Johnson Lake.

Darrel was preceded in death by: his parents, Paul and Dorothy Lavene; father and mother-in-law, Leslie and Esther Phillippi; three sisters-in-law: Janice Gulden; JoAnn Phillippi; and Sharon Phillippi; three brothers-in-law: Daryn Gulden; Don Phillippi; and Robert Phillippi; and one nephew and one niece.

Darrel is survived by his wife of 58 years, Veronica Lavene of Bertrand; his children: Deanna and husband, Tom Priefert of Valparaiso; Troy Lavene and wife, Nekol of Bertrand; and Vicki and husband, Matt Peterson of Bertrand; foster son, Justin Vojta of Tennessee; his grandchildren:  Hannah and husband, Aaron Johnston; Emily Priefert; Katelyn Priefert; Dillon, Meagan & Grace Straight; Mariah and husband, Travis Kuck; Mattison and husband, Wyatt Anderson; and Miles Peterson; great-grandchildren: Rikyn & Baby Kuck; Saylah Johnston; Baby Anderson; his siblings: Sharon Kreutzer and husband, Marlo of Funk, Nebraska;  Ron Lavene and wife, Sharon of Fairfield, Nebraska; Kent Lavene and husband, Frank of Omaha, Nebraska; and Nancy Fowler and husband, Rich of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Dorothy Phillippi of Lexington ; brother-in-law, Boyd Phillippi of Cozad, Nebraska; 21 nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 17, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family present.

A memorial has been established in Darrel's honor, and kindly suggested to the family.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements .