Lawrence “Pat” Vercande, age 86 of Brooklyn, died Thursday, October 2, 2008 at the Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell, Iowa from complications of Parkinson’s disease and pneumonia. Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2008, Kloster-Nevenhoven Funeral Home, Brooklyn, Iowa with Fr. Philip Ryan officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Brooklyn with military honors. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Friday, October 3, 2008 at Kloster-Nevenhoven Funeral Home in Brooklyn where there will be a Scripture Service at 7 P.M. A memorial fund has been established.

He is survived by his wife Maxine, two sons, Dennis of Brooklyn, and Ronald (Javerne) of Brooklyn; four grandchildren, Jessi Patterson and Jenni Vercande, Diana Lindquist, and Dustin Vercande; two great grandchildren, Kegan Patterson and Sydni Patterson; a brother Vernon Vercande of Marengo, and three sisters, Mae Zuber of Williamsburg, Lenore Benest of Marion, and Jean Disterhoft of Oregon. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Cloyd “JC” Vercande, two sisters, Anna Kruse, and Irene in early childhood.

Lawrence F. “Pat” Vercande was born March 24, 1922 in Williamsburg, Iowa, the son of Camil and Ines Pierce Vercande. He received his education in the Williamsburg schools and graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942-45 in the European Theatre. He was a mechanic, and crew chief on P47 fighter planes. He served in Normandy, Rhineland, northern France, Ardennes and central Europe. He received the Belgium Fourragere, 6 Bronze stars, and the Distinguished Unit Badge. Pat married Maxine Kann on February 18, 1946 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brooklyn. He farmed in the Brooklyn area for 63 years. He spent several years living at the Brooklyn Community Estates due to failing health.

Lawrence was a member of the Francis Gallagher American Legion Post 294, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brooklyn. The couple enjoyed attending Air Force reunions including the ones held in Europe. While in High School, Pat wrestled and achieved a state title which still stands today.