LaVERNE C. SMITH, 96, of Elk Horn, died Jan. 8, 2026, at the Salem Lutheran Home. Funeral services for LaVERNE SMITH will be held 10:30-a.m. Wed., Jan. 14, 2026, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn. Ohde Funeral Home in Kimballton has the arrangements.

Visitation at the church is today from 9-until 10-a.m.

Burial with Military Honors is in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery.

LaVERNE SMITH is survived by:

His wife of 65 years – Joyce Smith, of Elk Horn.

His children: Carol (Dave) Danner of Dedham, Craig (Dani McDaniel) Smith of Walnut, and Kevin (Sheri) Smith of Neola.

His sister – Norma Guge of Kearney, NE.

4 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 1 step-grandson; 2 step-great-grandchildren; His sister-in-law Shirley Esbeck, of Elk Horn; brother-in-law Lynn Mortensen, of Kimballton; other relatives, and friends.