Laverne Price

1/14/1951 - 2/23/2026

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Obituary For Laverne Price

Laverne Price, 75, of Eau Claire passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, peacefully at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls surrounded by family from complications from Parkinson’s and Dementia.

Vern was born on January 14, 1951, to Wesley and Geneva Price of Eau Claire and was one of nine children. Vern graduated from Memorial High School in 1969 and shortly after he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. He was honorably discharged in 1971. After that, he met the love of his life, Sharon. They married in 1976 and had two children, Tracy and Jason.

Vern loved life and especially his family. He was always goofing around and making his grandkids laugh. Family was his everything.

Vern did a lot of summer jobs for Eau Claire Parks and Rec. dept. He was an umpire for baseball games and played softball for several years. He coached his son’s baseball team and always had to go to North High School basketball games to watch his daughter who was a cheerleader for North High School. He was always busy going to sports events.

Vern worked at Memorex, 3M, Eagle Printing, and Cardinal Glass in Menomonie until landing his dream job. He worked for Eau Claire Police Department and was a reserve deputy sheriff for Eau Claire County and then became a corrections officer at the new Stanley Prison. He then got promoted to sergeant and transferred to the Chippewa Valley Treatment Facility Prison until his retirement in 2012.

Vern loved to stay home and be outdoors visiting with all his neighbors. He will be sadly missed. The people that knew Vern, knew him as an avid Elvis fan and collector. It was very special to him. His wife told him as long as he kept it dusted, she didn’t care how much he had. It is absolutely beautiful!

Vern had a very sarcastic sense of humor. You didn’t know if you should believe his stories or not. He loved riding his Harley up until he had to stop because of health reasons.

Vern is survived by his loving wife, Sharon of 49 years; daughter, Tracy (Stuart) Preston of Winter, WI; son, Jason (Holly) Price of Lakeville, MN; grandson, Colin (Sara) Preston of Sussex, WI; granddaughter, Kaitlin (Mat) Godfrey of Port Charlotte, FL; granddaughters, Karissa and Natalya Price; and great-granddaughter, Harper Preston.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Geneva Price; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Lois Crandall; brother, Jim Price; sisters, Karen, Joyce, Cindy, and Ann; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wants to express their gratitude to Mayo, St. Croix Hospice, and the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls.

For our loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, we love you so much! Rest in peace! We will miss you but never forget you!

A memorial service will be Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 12:00 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church. A visitation will be an hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Inurnment will follow the service at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Friends and family may leave online condolences at www.smithfuneralec.com.

Services

18 Mar

Visitation

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

St. John's Lutheran Church 1804 Highland Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54701 Get Directions »
18 Mar

Memorial Service

12:00 PM

St. John's Lutheran Church 1804 Highland Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54701 Get Directions »
18 Mar

Interment

01:00 PM

St. John's Lutheran Cemetery Omaha St. Eau Claire, WI 54701 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • 03/01/2026

    Katie Zacharias

    Sharon and family so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family - Katie Zacharias

  • 03/01/2026

    Larry Daken

    Worked with Vern at the Stanley Prison and Chippewa Prison. Found him to be a good friend and so sorry to hear of his passing. Spent three or four hours visiting with Vern and Sharon a short week or so before his passing. Did not expect to hear of his passing shortly after that. He is in my prayers and will always be remembered.

  • 02/28/2026

    Rick Semingson

    To Sharon and family. I am so very sorry to hear of Vern's passing. What a wonderful person. It will be hard to imagine not seeing Vern with Sharon. I got to know him through Walmart Vision and so much enjoyed his wit and sense of humor. I always considered you both as good friends and so much enjoyed seeing and talking with you. I will miss him very much. Rick Semingson

  • 02/28/2026

    Dale Baumgarten

    To the Family Of Laven Price Please except Condolence May God be with you all at this time

  • 02/27/2026

    Patti Kosmosky

    Well uncle Vern, you are now at peace and are whole new you again. I am positive Grandma and Grandpa and the rest of the family are welcoming you and hugging and laughing again. Will keep your sense of humor close to my heart! Until we meet again ........ Sharon, Tracy, Jason and family, I will keep you in my prayers and close to my heart during this time. Love you. Patti

  • 02/27/2026

    Scott plson

    I've been a friend of Verns for 60 yrs.we shared a lot of great times together. He always had my back. I will truly miss him. Scott olson

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