LaVerne Irene Schwarzenberger Tomchak Sauers passed away in the home of her daughter Eddie Johnsen, on Wednesday November 20, 2013. She was born in Idaho Falls on January 6, 1917. She was 96 years young and just 47 days short of her 97th birthday.
Her parents were Antone James and Ella Mae Schwarzenberger. She had three brothers: Paul, Elmer, and James Schwarzenberger and one sister: Evelyn Leonardson. She grew up on a farm west of Idaho Falls near Ririe but the family lost that farm during the depression. The family moved and worked on a farm on the now named Hitt Road. In her teens the road signage was taken down and rejuvenated. When the crew reinstalled them, the St. Leon and Hitt Road signs were transposed. (Or so the story goes; however, she did have to change the address on the letters home the Academy.)
She attended grade school at Fairview School and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Ogden, UT. She worked at the Academy for a year after graduation to help defray the cost of her sister's education.
She married Antone Tomchak in 1937. They had three children: David (Marina), Margaret (Elroy) Huebert, and Timothy (Karrolee). They were share croppers in the Medicine Lodge and Mud Lake areas. He farmed and she prepared three meals a day for all the laborers on the farms. And during planting/harvesting seasons, her workload increased up to 25 workers a day, all for $60/month. Antone was killed by a lightning strike on the wood stove chimney he was stoking in 1945. After his death, she moved into Idaho Falls. She lived in that home for 50 more years.
The day after she moved into town, she began cooking at Holy Rosary School. She was employed there for about 15 years. She met and married Edward Sauers in 1947. They had two children: Alice Balkovetz and Edna (Gary) Johnsen.
When Holy Rosary School was razed for a new building, LaVerne went to work for the White Star Laundry. She was a real pioneer for women in the work force. Ed passed away in 1992.
In the sixties, she discovered fossilized backbones of a dinosaur in the Grey's Lake area, Miner's Delight Creek. They are on display at the Museum of Natural History at Idaho State University. The find awakened a life-long interest in archaeology studies and rock hunting. She was a charter member of the Idaho Falls Rock and Mineral Society. She delighted in the many weekend rock and fossil hunting trips with the club.
In the late sixties, she started working in her home taking care of children. She enjoyed all the children playing in her home. "Pannycakes" were the favorite lunch. LaVerne never had idle hands. She was adept at sewing, crocheting, macraméing, weaving, quilt making, puzzles, cooking (her potato salad was out of this world), rock polishing, and making jewelry. Reading was also a life-long pastime. She has read thousands of books. She was very forlorn when she was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. She did try books on tape but it was just not the same reward.
She avidly practiced her Catholic religion. She attended mass regularly until her eyesight prevented driving. After that she prayed the rosary every day and received communion every week in her home from the Deacons of Holy Rosary Church. They not only gave here communion but provided friendship, communication, and support.
LaVerne is survived by her brother James and all five of her children, 20 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren. She also has many nieces, nephews, and in-laws who provided great comfort and kindness. She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, a daughter-in-law, a grandson and a great-grandson.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 2, 2013, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, corner of 9th and Lee in Idaho Falls, with Father Raul Covarrubies, celebrant. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Idaho Falls. A Rosary will be recited from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a viewing following from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday at Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th Street in Idaho Falls. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be sent to the Idaho Falls Humane Society, 444 No. Eastern Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83402.