LaVerne Leonard

On the 23rd of July, 2024, LaVerne Mary Serbousek Leonard passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family in Millcreek, Utah, at the age of ninety-five, after a long and fulfilling life.

She was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on April 24, 1929, to Joseph Frank Serbousek and Alice Blanche Housar Serbousek, the youngest of four sisters.  When she was only 14, after both her parents passed away within 3 months of each other, she went to live with her oldest sister Aggie in Coggon, Iowa.  After graduating from high school, she went to live with her sister Georgie in Yuma, Arizona, where she met the love of her life, Chet.

LaVerne married Chester LeRoy Leonard in Yuma, Arizona, on April 6, 1951. They were married for sixty years. Together they raised two sons: Geoff (Kris) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and John (Delene) of Sandy, Utah. She was the proud and devoted grandmother of Megan, Katie, Michael, Kevin, Rachel and Sean and great-grandmother of Maverick. 

LaVerne and Chet moved from Yuma to Riverside, California, then West Covina, California, before settling in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Although LaVerne lived alone after Chet’s passing in December 2010, she was never really alone.  She was always the center of our family.  We all enjoyed family dinners, trips to Arizona to visit her sister Rosemary, traveling on new adventures, playing cards and sharing meals at her favorite restaurant, El Chihuahua.  She was blessed with many friends with whom she loved to talk, lunch and play bridge.  She could talk with anyone anytime and would minister to those in need. She welcomed countless friends of her family as her extended family, and many called her aunt and grandma.  She was a devout Catholic and her faith brought her much comfort throughout her life.

LaVerne is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Chet, her parents and her sisters Agnes Crosby, Rosemary Smith, and Georgiena Rundall.

LaVerne’s family would like to express our deep gratitude for the care she received from Cathy Coates of Olympus Family Medicine and from Alissa & Shannon of Hospice for Utah. We are also deeply grateful for the excellent care and friendship she received from the caregivers at BeeHive Homes of Salt Lake City.

Friends are invited to celebrate LaVerne's life on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Millcreek, Utah. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance on the north side of the building. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish Catholic Church, 1375 East Spring Lane (5000 South), Holladay, Utah.  Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until noon.

Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Avenue and “T” Street, Salt Lake City.

If desired, donations may be made to Saint Vincent de Paul Parish Catholic Church, the Homecare & Hospice Association of Utah, or a charity of your choice.