LaVerne was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 20, 1929 to Alfred Louis Hoppe and Lucille Ann Sanders Hoppe. She was raised and educated in St. Louis, graduating from Cleveland High School. LaVerne continued her education at Lindenwood College and University of Missouri.
She married William Louis (Bill) Berger just after his graduation from the US Naval Academy in 1950. They soon joined the US Air Force commencing several moves from St. Louis to Arizona and then on to California where the first of their three children, Kathy, was born. Son Bill and daughter Lori were added to the family later on in Ohio and Missouri.
After leaving military life, career moves took the family to Illinois, Texas, and Pennsylvania. LaVerne was a homemaker, but also worked as a receptionist for several doctors and also at a law firm for many years.
She and her husband Bill moved to California in the 1980s to be near their children. He preceded her in death in 2008 after 58 years of marriage.
In 2012 she married Tony Inzana and they enjoyed six happy years in Hughson, California before his death in 2018. In February 2019, LaVerne moved to Visalia to make a new home at Walnut Park where she made many friends even in her short time there.
She enjoyed music, singing, and played the piano most of her life. Her family, friends, community service, and church activities were what she enjoyed most. LaVerne was a loyal St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, rooting on her beloved team until her very last days. She loved our country and was a very proud American.
LaVerne was an ever-present mother always encouraging her children in their lives and careers and comforting them when life had disappointments. Her beautiful smile, made complete by the very brightest of lipstick, is a wonderful memory admired by friends old and new.
LaVerne was a committed Christian and a life-long Lutheran. In Visalia, she was embraced by the Christ Lutheran Church when she moved to Visalia.
LaVerne is survived by her daughters Kathy Rohdin of San Jose and Lori Berger of Visalia, son Bill Berger and wife Bonnie of Rocklin, two grandchildren, Brooke and Roy, and the children of Tony Inzana, Sr., Tony Inzana and wife Joye, Tim Inzana and wife Rene, Tammy Reich and husband Dean, and Tina Lorch and husband Kevin, and their families.
The family wishes to thank Lita Abbiss, Shirlee Cox, Lucy Gonzalez, and the Zsidro family who took excellent loving care of LaVerne. We are also grateful to the Hospice team from Kaweah Delta who actively supported our family. The prayers, support, and visits to LaVerne and family by the Christ Lutheran Church family provided comfort to all of us as Mom proceeded on her journey.
We miss her, but are so very thankful for having her in our lives. She lives on in our hearts and through us.
Services will be held on Saturday, November 23rd at 2 PM at Christ Lutheran Church located at 3830 West Tulare Avenue in Visalia.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances may be made to Christ Lutheran Church.
Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA (559) 732-8371.
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