Laverne 'Speed' Dickerson, the son of Will and Lura Mae Archer Dickerson was born August 12, 1930 in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He died suddenly on Friday, April 26, 2002 at the Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 71 years 8 months and 14 days. Laverne was raised in Tennessee and at the age of 7 he moved to Red Oak, Iowa. He graduated from Red Oak High School in l949. He started to work for Thos. D. Murphy Calendar Company, and then entered the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. Laverne was united in marriage to Bonnie J. Dunlap on April 4, 1953 at Atlantic, Iowa. He retuned to Thos. D. Murphy Company to work, retiring as an Executive Vice President after 42 years of service. Speed was a member of First Congregational Church UCC, lifetime member of Optimist Club of Red Oak, American Legion Lorraine Post #67 and the Red Oak Eagles Lodge #2715. He had served on the board for Acorn Acres and was a past City Council member for Red Oak. He and Bonnie enjoyed dancing and taught Ballroom dancing. He was preceded in death by his parents. Laverne is survived by his wife, Bonnie J. Dickerson of Red Oak, Iowa; 2 daughters: Sara Welsch and her husband Fred of Elliott, Iowa and Amy Myers and her husband Rick of Red Oak, Iowa; 4 grandchildren: Ronda Allen, Amanda Myers, Maranda Myers and Taylor Welsch, other relatives and a host of friends. May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.