LaVerta Mae Siver Langenberg
LaVerta Mae Siver Langenberg, 88, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital after complications from surgery.
A joint celebration of life service will be held Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at Baxa’s Sutliff Store and Tap beginning at 11 a.m. Her husband Louis died Aug. 1, 2022.
LaVerta was born Nov. 7, 1934, at St. Luke’s Hospital to Arthur T.M. Siver and Mae Eliza Armstrong Siver. Graduating from Martelle High School in 1952 she then went on to attend Coe College in Cedar Rapids. After college she worked in the business department at People’s Bank, at St. Luke’s Hospital and then later at the bank in Martelle. During this time, she met Lou while dancing at the Armar Ballroom in Marion. They married March 2, 1958 at the First Christian Church in Martelle eventually moving to the farmstead where she lived her entire life within a one-mile radius of her family farm.
While working in town, LaVerta kept the farm bookwork, maintained a large kitchen garden, and actively worked on the farm doing chores and helping with field work while looking after their two children. LaVerta was a member of the Jones County Genealogical Society, compiling their family’s information for generations back to Europe as well as doing extensive research for other people requesting assistance from across the globe.
LaVerta and Lou were active square dancers and loved to dance at Sutliff on Sundays to their favorite bands. They hosted a rotating monthly neighborhood card club group for many years. LaVerta was a member of the I Goa U Goa Club, Red Hats and enjoyed coffee with her friends. Her love of gardening was great and she tried endlessly to grow Texas Blue Bonnets. After Lou retired and took up gardening, she banned him to other garden spots to keep the peace. She and Lou were actively involved in the mowing and maintenance of several Greenfield Township pioneer cemeteries most especially the White Oak Church Cemetery.
She is survived by her children Christine K. Thompson, Dallas, Texas, and Karen S. Lewis, Americus, Ga.; grandchildren, Benjamin (Keirian) Thompson and daughter, Taya; Megan (Kyle) Tingle and their children, Weston and McKenzie; and Jared Lewis. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dozens of beloved family and friends.
LaVerta was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Louis; parents Arthur Manly Siver and Mae Eliza Armstrong Siver; brother Tom and his wife Nola; and sister Anne (Ken) Denger.
Donations may be made in her honor to Camp Courageous or the Jones County Genealogical Society. LaVerta was lovingly cared for by the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.