LaVerne Diehl

LaVerne Andrus Diehl age 99 returned to Heavenly Father and her loving husband, David, on February 18, 2023. LaVerne was born October 2, 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah as the second daughter of Bertha Elizabeth Beardshall and George Boyes Andrus. She had a close relationship with her elder sister Irene Andrus Witmer and her aunt Hannah Beardshall.

Growing up she enjoyed playing outdoor games and paper dolls, participating in YWCA summer programs, attending the daily 24th of July events, seeing Santa Claus, riding the free train to Salt Air, and walking to local parks for activities there..

LaVerne graduated from West High School in 1941 and attended the University of Utah. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1945 and first worked as a caseworker for Weber County Welfare. She met David Lloyd Diehl while he was stationed at Camp Kearns during World War II. The two were married on October 30th, 1946 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. While in Johnstown she worked as a caseworker for the Family Welfare Association.

Due to her poor eyesight, LaVerne retired from her employment but she refused to be idle. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life and served in a variety of church callings. Some of her favorites included serving in the Junior Sunday School, Primary, and as a second counselor in the Relief Society. She also served as a greeter on Temple Square. In addition to her church callings, she actively worked to better her community and serve those around her. She belonged to the PTA, the Youth Protection Committee and the Committee for Better Movies and Literature in Salt Lake City. She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and worked as a hostess at the DUP Museum. As a DUP Chairman of the Markers, she helped establish a historical marker near 2490 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City. She was a member of the Utah Association of Women and worked hard to complete an extensive amount of family genealogy. She volunteered with Birthright, an organization which provided support for pregnant women and offered alternatives to abortion. She felt blessed by all the amazing women she met there.

LaVerne enjoyed going to dances with her husband and on trips with her family. She collected Newberry and Caldecott award winning books and her children have fond memories of her reading the books to them. She collected coins and shared them with her children and grandchildren. Her family remembers the traditional Easter egg tree and Maypole dance

She is survived by her daughters, Berthana and Angela (Douglas) ; and sons Richard (Kathy) and Raymon. She is also survived by twelve wonderful grandchildren and thirteen wonderful great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and George; her husband, David; her four older sisters, Leonora, Mildred, Ione, and Irene; her daughter-in-law, Rebby and son-in-law, Jim.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 10:00am, with a viewing at 9:00am-9:45 am, at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah.

Interment will take place at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 North St E, Salt Lake City, Utah

In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice in LaVerne’s name.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at St. Mark’s Hospital. A special thank you to the staffs of A Plus Hospice, Beyond Senior Care, and the Wellington Assisted Living Center for their loving service to LaVerne.

LaVerne went about doing good. She believed we were all children of a loving Heavenly Father and shared that love with all who knew her. She wanted everyone to know she sincerely cared about them and encouraged them. We will miss her.