The exact date of death was established through the Blair Cemetery records.

Two newspaper articles

# 1 - - Pilot-Tribune, March 28, 1935

BLAIR BOY, 11, HURT PLAYING HERE LAST WEEK

BLOOD STREAM POISONING FATAL TO 6th GRADE PUPIL YESTERDAY

WAS TO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED SUNDAY

ARRANGE FUNERAL RITES FOR BAPTIST CHURCH SATURDAY; LAD WAS ACTIVE IN AFFAIRS AT HIS SCHOOL

Injuries received last week while he was playing with a group of his young friends engaged in a game of basketball, are believed to have been a contributing factor in causing a blood stream infection which proved fatal early yesterday morning to LaVerne Klabunde, aged 11, son of Mrs. Maymie Klabunde of north Walker avenue. The lad died at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha of septicaemia, which infected the blood stream.

LaVerne, a sixth grade pupil in the city schools, suffered an injured knee-cap last week when he fell down while playing, and this slight injury, coupled with the fact that his blood stream was subject to septicaemia, allowed the fatal infection to get started.

The boy’s physician stated today that LaVerne’s injury was no more serious than those scores of Blair school children receive daily, but that LaVerne’s blood stream was in such a condition that only this minor bruise started the infection.

He was taken to the Omaha hospital several days after the infection set in, and maintained a temperature of 105 degrees during the remainder of his life.

TO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED

LaVerne was to have been baptized by his pastor, Rev. Thomas J. Reese of the Baptist church, this Sunday evening, and had looked forward to the rites.

When in the hospital, although unconscious most of the time, he once recognized Rev. Reese when the latter called on him.

The lad was born August 19, 1924, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Klabunde. Mr. Klabunde died about two years ago.

Active in school activities, LaVerne only recently played the leady role as the king, in “The King’s Sneezes,” the fifth and sixth grade operetta.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mayme Klabunde; a sister, Olive, 14, freshman in Blair High School; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Hineline.

Funeral services will be held at the Baptist church Saturday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, Rev. Reese officiating. Interment will be in the Blair cemetery.

# 2 - - from The Enterprise, March 28, 1935

INJURIES PROVE FATAL TO LAVERNE KLABUNDE

POPULAR BLAIR BOY, AGED 11, DIES

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternnon at 2 o’clock from the Baptist church for Lavern Klabunde, who died at Immanuel hospital in Omaha following a twelve day illness caused by bone infection resulting from an injury on his leg.

Lavern, 11-year-old son of Mrs. Maynie Klabunde, and in the sixth grade at Central school, was a favorite among his classmates and was outstanding in his classes. He took the part of the “King” in the operetta, “The King’s Sneezes,” presented at the high school recently.

Born August 19, 1923, Lavern has made his home in Blair on North Walker Avenue with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Klabunde. His father died June 26, 1933. Since that time he has lived with his mother and his sister, Olive Marie Klabunde, 16 years old.

Survivors are his mother, Mrs. Maymie Klabunde, his sister, Olive Marie, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Hineline.

[Puzzle: the publishing date of the two newspaper articles (3/28) is three days before the Blair cemetery date of death (3/31)] ~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

FindaGrave #115926181