LaVerne E. (Lenger) Wagner

LaVerne E. Wagner, 105, of Hermann, MO, passed away Friday, October 7, 2022 at StoneBridge Hermann.

LaVerne was born in McKittrick, Missouri on July 18, 1917, a daughter of the late Theodore & Edith (Bornmann) Lenger.  She was raised on a farm near Rhineland, Missouri. 

LaVerne attended and graduated from the 8th grade at the McKittrick School where she excelled in basketball.  She then attended and graduated from Hermann High School.  After high school she was a nanny in St. Louis as a young woman.

She was united in marriage to B.A. Wagner on August 14, 1940 at St. Marcus Church, Rhineland, Missouri.  They resided in Hermann and were married 72 years.  B.A. preceded her in death on February 27, 2012.

She and B.A. had two daughters, LaNette Kotthoff, of Hermann, Missouri and Diane Grossmann, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  Without a doubt she was their biggest supporter and critic.

LaVerne is also survived by three grandchildren, Kirby Kotthoff & wife Michelle, of Hermann, Missouri; Christopher Kotthoff & wife Jill, of New Haven, Missouri and Julie Ruediger & husband Mike, of Hermann, Missouri; by seven great grandchildren, Claire Kotthoff & fiance' Tyler Kuhn, of Hermann, Missouri; Maggie Kotthoff, of Columbia, Missouri; Brooke Kotthoff, of Austin, Texas; Curtis Kotthoff & wife Kelsey, of New Haven, Missouri; Erica Kleinheider & husband Jesse, Washington, Missouri; Tesla Ruediger, of Wentzville, Missouri; and Grant Ruediger, of Springhill, Kansas; and by one great-great grandchild, Avery Kleinheider, of Washington, Missouri.  She was very proud and supportive of her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son-in-law, Willard "Wiff" Kotthoff, a sister, Eileen Moynahan & her husband Fred, and two brothers, Quentin Lenger & wife Dolores and Kermit Lenger.

LaVerne was an animal lover, she loved all her granddogs, great granddogs and great-great grandogs.  After her daughters left home she had many cats.  She was a St. Louis Cardinals and Mizzou Tigers fan and she was an avid gardener and tended to her flowers until she was in her 90's.

She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ and was a church choir & youth leader for more than 50 years.  She was also a Girl Scout Leader and a Historic Hermann Volunteer during the first Maifest years setting up housing for hundreds of visitors.

LaVerne was a homemaker, she loved cooking and sewing.   Her biggest job, however, was keeping tabs on her husband B.A., she was his biggest supporter & cheerleader. She will always be remembered for her frugality to her family and friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 12th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Hermann, where funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Andy Wilson officiating. 

Burial will be at Oak Haven Memorial Gardens, Hermann, Missouri.  Memorials may be given to St. Paul Choir Fund or St. Paul U.C.C.