LaVern “Bulgie” Baysinger, 81, of Forestburg, died Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, at his home in Forestburg.

Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 15, at the Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Burial was at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian. The visitation was held on Thursday, Feb. 14, also at the Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Lavern Baysinger was born Dec. 4, 1937, in Mitchell to Clyde and Esther (Christensen) Baysinger. He graduated from Forestburg High School in 1956 and then enlisted in the United States Army until he was honorably discharged in 1962. He married Nancy Jane Bauer in Woonsocket on Oct. 29, 1960. After being discharged from the army, he sheared sheep and raised melons. He started working at the Armour and Company packing plant in Huron in 1968 and worked there for 17 years.

He, along with his wife Nancy, continued to raise melons until 1973 when they began farming and ranching southeast of Forestburg. They sold their livestock in 1998 and continued to farm for a few years before retiring.

LaVern enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially Canadian geese and walleye. 

LaVern is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy; three children,  Marli Baysinger, Shane (Lynette) and Thad (Shawna) Baysinger, all of Forestburg; three grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; two great-grandchildren; eight stepgreat-grandchildren; a brother, Dick Baysinger; and sister, Janet Eining, along with their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents.