LaVerne Swede Israelson, 83, died Thursday, June 30, 2005 at Minneapolis Veterans Home, Minneapolis, MN.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Mark Helgeland officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at Johnson Funeral with a 5:30 P.M. prayer service on Wednesday evening and for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Emmett LaVerne Israelson was born August 21, 1921 at Lake Bronson, MN, the son of Emmett and Agnes (Berg) Israelson. He graduated from High School in Thief River Falls. Swede enlisted in the United States Air Force during World War 11 and spent four years as flight engineer. After the war he attended school and became a Master Plumber.

On June 6, 1966, Swede was united in marriage to Beatrice Magner. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls and a son was born to this union. The couple owned and operated Northwoods Trapping and Hunting Supply for over 25 years. They built a home in Smiley Township. He has written four books on wildlife, their habits, how they live, and also how to trap them. Also, he has invented 34 kinds of traps and lures which call the animals to you.

Survived by son, Brian Israelson, Port Charlotte, Florida step-sons, Gaylan (Tracy) Melvie, Newfolden, Minnesota and Rick Melvie, of Florida; grandchildren, Hannah, Shaiann and Faith; two sisters: Burnell Netteland of Broomfield, Colorado and Janet Jensen Broomfield, Colorado and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by wife, Beatrice, on May 9, 2001; his parents; brother and sisters: Doris Seefeldt, Anna Grace Gillespie, Darleen Biddle and Hardy Israelson.