Laverna Frances Ostergaard

Our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and neighbor has left us to be in the arms of her beloved Carl who died March 26, 2013. Not only were they husband and wife for 59 and a half years, but also business partners working side by side in Madison Hardware and Sporting Goods, the family owned business on Whitesbridge Rd. at Brawley. They were the third generation to own and operate the store, which Woody Laughnan, a past feature writer for the Fresno Bee, once described as Fresno's first shopping center.

Laverna was born on June 8, 1929, at the old Burnett Sanitarium. She was the first child born to W. B. "Bill" Knisley and Lorena Van Ness Knisley. She was a beautiful little girl with a mass of golden ringlets and big green eyes. She attended McKinley Grammer School and graduated from Central High School. She worked at Roeding Park Pharmacy, Walter Bydes Hardware and Giftware and JC Penny Department Store prior to her August 1953 marriage to Carl.

She was extremely proud of her Van Ness heritage, and the impact that her family had on the early days of San Francisco. She enthusiastically embraced Carls danish heritage and all that came with it. Most important to her was her husband and their two beautiful little daughters, Karlene and Kathleen. She was a gifted seamstress, a great cook and baker of beautiful cakes and pies. She could also do electrical wiring, plumbing, painting, pipe threading, car repair and on and on. Laverna did many duties at Madison Hardware. She was the bookkeeper, the banker, a buyer, and the customer service department.

When time permitted Carl and Laverna closed the doors, gathered their hunting and fishing gear, Karlene and Kathy, a picnic lunch and headed for the most remote spots they could find. Their love of those spots and the solitude was a close second to their love for family. Our parents mostly enjoyed cross country trips with the Mehlings, especially Laughlin, NV. Laverna packed heat, she had a permit to carry, and never missed a target.

Endless gratitude is given to Laverns angels on earth, Janette, Clarissa and Sandra and to Dr. Bill Owen and his assistant Chris who gave years of medical care and loving support. Thanks also to the great St. Agnes Hospice staff.

She is preceded in death by her husband Carl.

Laverna is survived by her daughters Kathy Ostergaard and Karlene Ostergaard-Stefani and her husband James; her grandchildren Brieann, Drake and his wife China and Darien Stefani; great-granddaughter Jodelle; her brother, Ray Knisley of Lovelock, NV; her sister, Geneva Mehling of Fresno; and many loving nephews and nieces.

A Private Service will be held.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.