LaVerne F. Fiala

LaVerne F. Fiala, 89, of Kearney, died June 2, 2024 at C.H.I. Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Memorial Mass will be 2:00 pm, June 7, 2024 at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Joseph Hannappel officiating. Military Rites will be provided following the service at the church by United State Air Force Funeral Honors Team, Kearney American Legion Post #52, and the Kearney V.F.W. Post #759. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Kearney Rescue Cats, or St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital. LaVerne was born May 3, 1935 to John and Adeline (Haar) Fiala in David City, Nebraska. He graduated from Dwight Assumption High School. He entered the Air Force in August of 1958, serving through 1964. He was an instructor, responsible for training pilots on the electrical systems in their planes. On November 22, 1958, LaVerne married the love of his life, Jeanette Sypal in David City. They were married 65 years but still acted like high school sweethearts. Vern was always holding Jeanette’s hand and cared for her like no other. They truly were each other’s best friends. Following his discharge from the Air Force, Vern worked for IBM as a computer systems specialist until his retirement. He earned several awards for his dedicated service with IBM. His hobbies included HAM Radio, camping, fishing, and hunting. He was passionate about Nebraska Husker Volleyball and loved to visit about the current season with anyone he encountered. Vern had a nickname for everyone and loved to sit and visit with friends over coffee. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix and he enjoyed tinkering with computers or small engines in his shed. Vern often volunteered at St. James Catholic Church, running sound and media for masses. He had a soft spot in his heart for animals, which he passed down to his children. He will be dearly missed by his cat, Kitsy, whom he helped raise as a bottle-fed kitten. LaVerne is survived by his wife, Jeanette Fiala of Kearney; daughters, Tammy Fiala, Kimberly & Dr. Joel Atchison all of Kearney; son Terry and Jenny Fiala of Washington State; grandchildren, Annika Fiala, Zachary Atchison, and Tyler Atchison.

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LaVerne F. Fiala

May 3, 1935 - June 2, 2024