LaVeme Lillian (Schaper) Koch: (December 8, 1923 – July 25, 2010)

LaVerne Lillian Henrietta Koch of St. Clair, Missouri departed this life in St. Clair on Sunday, July 25, 2010 having reached the age of eighty-six years, seven months, seven days. LaVerne was born in Kirkwood, Missouri, on December 18, 1923daughter of Louis A. Schaper and Viola (Winheim) Schaper. On August 29, 1942, she was united into marriage to Harvey Albert August Koch and eight children came to bless this union.

LaVerne is survived by two sons, Stanley Koch and wife Patricia, of Fenton, Missouri, Keith Koch of West Melbourne, FL., by five daughters, Cheryl Butler and husband Richard, of St. Clair, Shirley Scatcherd and husband James, of Webster Groves, Missouri, Marlene White and husband  Thomas of Columbia, Missouri, Nina Berry and husband Michael, of Affton. Missouri, and Tina Parks and companion, George Simcox, of St. Calir, by two sisters, Charlotte Mason and husband, Douglas of Murfreesboro, TN and Mary Lou Smith and husband Ed, of Des Peres, Missouri, by fourteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great and great-great- nieces and nephews cousins and other relatives and many friends.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Viola Chaper, her husband Harey Koch, one daughter Rene Elizabeth Koch and one grandchild, Shenel Koch.

LaVerne was a Christian and member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Clair. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith on January 13, 1924 and confirmed on March 21, 1937. During her younger years, she had worked outside the home but after she started her family, she made caring for her home and children her career in life. LaVern was an outgoing, kind and fun loving lady who was always willing to lend a helping hand to others. She volunteered time to help with church functions and also volunteered ad a scheduler for OATS transportation. She was a talented cake decorator and loved making dolls and other cloth toys. Sewing was one of her favorite hobbies, LaVern enjoyed traveling and her trip to Hawaii was a high light of her life. Each of her grandchildren was dear to her and she was always available to baby sit. Her keen sense of humor kept her family laughing most of the time and many wonderful memories have been created through the years.

A devoted and loving mother, mother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great and great-great aunt, cousin and treasured friend, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 29, 2010 at the Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, with Rev. Roger Altenberger officiating.

Internment was at Forever Oak Hill Cemetery, Kirkwood, Missouri.

Memorials may be made t Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Clair, or to the American Diabetes Association.

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