LaVerne E. Wagner, 105, of Hermann passed away Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at StoneBridge Hermann.
LaVerne was born in McKittrick, MO, on July 18, 1917, a daughter of the late Theodore and Edith (Bornmann) Lenger. She was raised on a farm near Rhineland, MO.
LaVerne attended and graduated from the 8th grade at the McKittrick School where she excelled in basketball. She then attended and graduated from Hermann High School. After high school, she was a nanny in St. Louis as a young woman.
She was united in marriage to B.A. Wagner on Aug. 14, 1940, at St. Marcus Church in Rhineland. They resided in Hermann and were married for 72 years. B.A. preceded her in death on Feb. 27, 2012.
She and B.A. had two daughters: LaNette Kotthoff of Hermann and Diane Grossmann of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Without a doubt, she was their biggest supporter and critic.
LaVerne is also survived by three grandchildren, Kirby Kotthoff and wife Michelle of Hermann, Christopher Kotthoff and wife Jill of New Haven, MO, and Julie Ruediger and husband Mike of Hermann; seven great-grandchildren, Claire Kotthoff and fiancé Tyler Kuhn of Hermann, Maggie Kotthoff of Columbia, MO, Brooke Kotthoff of Austin, TX, Curtis Kotthoff and wife Kelsey of New Haven, MO; Erica Kleinheider and husband Jesse of Washington, MO; Tesla Ruediger of Wentzville; and Grant Ruediger of Springhill, KS; and one great-great-grandchild, Avery Kleinheider of Washington, MO. She was very proud and supportive of her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son-in-law, Willard "Wiff" Kotthoff; a sister, Eileen Moynahan and her husband Fred; and two brothers, Quentin Lenger and wife Dolores and Kermit Lenger.
LaVerne was an animal lover. She loved all her granddogs, great-granddogs and great-great-granddogs. After her daughters left home, she had many cats. She was a St. Louis Cardinals and Mizzou Tigers fan, and she was an avid gardener and tended to her flowers until she was in her nineties.
She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ and was a church choir and youth leader for more than 50 years. She was also a Girl Scout Leader and a Historic Hermann Volunteer during the first Maifest years, setting up housing for hundreds of visitors.
LaVerne was a homemaker; she loved cooking and sewing. Her biggest job, however, was keeping tabs on her husband B.A.; she was his biggest supporter and cheerleader. She will always be remembered for her frugality to her family and friends.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Hermann, where funeral services will immediately follow with Rev. Andy Wilson officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Haven Memorial Gardens in Hermann. Memorials may be given to St. Paul Choir Fund or St. Paul U.C.C.
