Lavern Lidtka, 91, of Grinnell, IA passed away on December 25, 2024, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell, IA.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 11:00 am at Madison Church of Christ in Brooklyn, IA. A visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the Madison Church of Christ.

A graveside service with military honors being performed by the US Navy and the Brooklyn American Legion Post 294, will follow the funeral service at Sheridan Cemetery. Immediately following the graveside service, a luncheon will be held back at the church.

Memorial checks may be made payable to the Wounded Warrior Project, Alzheimer's Disease Research, or Madison Church of Christ mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Lavern was born on October 6, 1933, to Virgil Truman and Lucille (Phipps) Lidtka in Grinnell. Along with his two sisters, Lavern was raised in Malcom. He attended school in Brooklyn and graduated with the class of 1951. In 1952 Lavern enlisted in the Navy and achieved the rank of Aviation Machinist's Mate (AD) 3rd Petty Officer. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

On June 19, 1954, Lavern was united in marriage to Colleen Reida in Brooklyn, IA. To this union the couple had two children, Randy and Christy.

Lavern was a lifelong farmer, until he retired in 1998. Lavern and Colleen moved to Seeland Park in 2007.

Lavern enjoyed spending time with his family. He strongly supported his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's activities and was proud of all their accomplishments. Lavern enjoyed camping, traveling and the river cruises. Some of his favorite trips include traveling to Europe, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, London and Alaska. He also enjoyed playing pool and cards with his Seeland Park friends. He attended Madison Church of Christ.

Lavern is survived by his wife, Colleen of Grinnell, IA; his children, Randy (Janet) Lidtka of Grinnell, IA, and Christy (Don) Kriegel of Malcom, IA; his grandchildren, Katie (Jordan) Wilmes of Grinnell, IA, Nicolle (Jonathan) Miller of Farmington, Minnesota, Kyle (Alli) Lidtka of Newbury Park, California, Bryce (Brielle) Lidtka of Ottumwa, IA, Crystal (Wes) VandeKamp of Malcom, IA, April (Kyle) Kubiak of Blairstown, IA, Karl (Beth) Kriegel of Malcom, IA, and Neal Kriegel of Malcom, IA; and 20 great grandchildren, with one more on the way.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Elaine Heishman and Carolyn Hotchkin.