----Source: TRG 23 January 2002

LaVerna V. Blanchard, 72, Spencer, died on Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, at the Colonial Center in Colby after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Spencer. The Rev. Robert W. Olson officiated. Burial was in the West Spencer Cemetery, town of Sherman.

LaVerna Viola Giese was born on Nov. 4, 1929, in the town of Frankfurt, Edgar, to August and Albina [nee Loskot] Giese. She graduated from Colby High School. She married Carl Edward Blanchard on June 15, 1948, at Peace Lutheran Church, town of Frankfurt. She traveled with her husband to several Navel and Air Force bases before they settled in Wisconsin. She did childcare and housekeeping jobs. She was an active member and office holder of TOPS in Marshfield. She was actively involved in her church and sang in the choir. Her interests included traveling with the Spencer senior citizens group, reading mystery novels and watching birds.

Survivors include three children, Donald [Barb] Blanchard, Marshfield, Nancy [Ray] Weis, Marshfield, and Steven [Mary] Blanchard, Spencer; eight grandchildren, Jaimee [Mat] Pieper, Jill [Rob] Loiselle, Greg [Amy] Cook, Jennifer Weis, and Jessica, Dustin, Kurt and Renee Blanchard; two sisters, Ethel Thurs, Wausau, and Ruth [Ervin] Ziegel Jr., Wausau.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Carl, on March 8, 1978; a brother, Leonard Giese; and a daughter-in-law, Ellen Blanchard.

Community Funeral Home, Spencer, assisted the family with arrangements.