The FUNERAL - Saturday, November 22, noon

  As far as funerals go, I think LaVerl's was really nice. All our kids participated and did a good job talking about their Dad. Chad gave the opening prayer. He was the very first to volunteer for that when we started planning who would do what. Bret gave the life story, which luckily we found a paper where LaVerl had written '100 things about myself', that he was able to draw from. Lisa, Kari, Reed and Tami told different 'Core Values' that LaVerl had, with stories to go along with them. Lisa had 'work hard/ play hard & faithful.' Reed did 'Loyal & integrity'. Then Tami talked about 'service/generosity & dedication to family'. Kari had 'Health/Wellness'. All my grandkids sang, 'The Miracle', that had everyone crying. Kaemon started off the song with the scripture, 'For God so loved the World that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have ever lasting life.' They all sang their little hearts out, a few of them breaking down and crying in the middle of the song.  Eliana ended the song with her sweet little voice saying, "The Miracle that Rescues You and Me." Mark gave the 'spiritual message' and he did an amazing job. I had so many people tell me what a wonderful funeral it was and what a great job our kids did.

On Friday we had a family viewing at the mortuary. First, all my kids got to dress their Dad in his white temple clothes. Then the grandkids that wanted to see their Grandpa, came in to say 'goodbye'. After that, the boys transferred his body into the casket. It was all pretty emotional for all of us.

Kari wasn't here for this.

After the viewing, we all went to the church so the kids could practice their song. They did great, only a few tears from some.

We gathered pictures and other things LaVerl loved to put on the display table for the funeral.

We also had a video playing in the foyer. The one Reed made for LaVerl's 75th birthday party. 

The graveside service was held at the Eagar Cemetery. It was very windy and cold. LaVerl's older brother, Dave, dedicated the grave. Randel Penrod was presiding.

We got enough blue and white (BYU colors) carnations for each family to put on the casket.

Afterwards we all went to the church for a wonderful luncheon prepared for our whole family and people who drove a long distance by the sweet members of our Ward. Sonja and Randy brought my 100 year old Mommy! The Relief Society decorated the tables with BYU colors and had BYU coloring pages for the kids to color. All so very thoughtful!! 

Tami had ordered these darling little lanterns and picture holders for the tables too.

It was a tough but beautiful day for all of us. We had so much support from everyone in our little town, we felt very loved. Now we have to learn how to live on without LaVerl in our lives. I suppose now we just live the best we can to make him proud of us. He will be missed every day, every hour of our lives. 

And then the 'love' came pouring in......

It's hard for me to understand or to fully realize how wonderful friends can be in time of need, or to really know why I was the recipient of so much love, concern and care. The food and flowers started arriving -- I made a list so I could remember everyone!

-Kim Hall was the first to arrive, she knew my kids were here spending time with their dad. She brought beautiful homemade rolls with a big                                      jar of homemade raspberry jam. --Katie & Tom Hunt and Kathleen Davis came to visit and brought sourdough bread. --Jocelyn Peters made 2 big pans of her yummy green chili enchiladas --Kari's friends sent 1 doz. apricot colored roses. --Tami's friend, Ashlee (Martin) Smith came with homemade chicken noodle soup (along with mashed potatoes), flowers, a box of Kleenex, 2 doz. fresh eggs, 2 loaves of homemade bread, choc chip cookies, 2 kinds of yogurt, & cheese and fruit snacks. --Lenna came with 3 ice cream buckets of 3 kinds of soup, (She was helping Melissa feed people coming to Stake Conference) and lots of homemade rolls.-- Then came Debbie Rogers and Hank with 2 loaves of her wonderful Kamut bread. (Her bread was the last thing LaVerl ate!) 2 big bags of choc chip cookies and Gingersnaps. (LaVerl's favorite!) --Jocelyn (again) brought over a big pan of lasagna with salad and corn. --Blake Danahke (Hamblin) came with a small flowering plant and a card. --Joylyn Kinsey (Kirks Mom) sent a box with 4 plants, (which Tami helped me plant in my planter) and a small memorial wind chime. --MaryAnn Brown brought 2 big pans of yummy chicken enchiladas with a pan of lettuce and tomatoes. --Lana Crick came over with a fruit platter and a meat and cheese tray.--Ashlee (again) and Hilary came with a big tub of bags of candy snacks and other miscellaneous items (mostly for Tami).--Terra and the Peters families (Ronnie delivered) a bouquet of Fall flowers. --Lenna (again) brought me a book and a big box of chocolates. --Heather McCall brought lunch, 4 pans of sliders, 2 huge liners of fresh veggies and ranch dip.--Sharon Burnham, (mortuary)- a big plate of homemade chocolates.-- Becky Boone, (SO MUCH) 4 loaves of different kinds of breads, 3 big containers of luncheon meat and 4 packages of sliced cheeses, sleeves of crackers and choc. graham cookies, peanut butter and grape jelly, 2 double boxes of cold cereal, paper goods-plates, bowls, cups, plastic ware, a huge box of variety of chips, a bag of granola, and a big tub full of snacks for the grandkids- (I was in shock when I saw everything she brought!) --Marcie Udall brought dinner- a pan of pulled pork with BBQ sauce, a pan of pork and beans with sliced smokies, 4 bags of chips, 2 boxes of crackers, a pan of brownies and a bag of homemade cookies.--Ramsey Finch, (SO MUCH) 5 cases of soda pop, a 12 pack of gator aid, a box of snack Oreo packages, a box of fruit snacks, a case of water, a box of 30 count variety of chips!! (Unbelievable!)

4 pans of meat & cheese sliders and 2 pans of veggies and dip!

Marcie brought dinner Thursday night.

I was in the shower when Ramsey came!

Then the visitors that came by before LaVerl passed - Randel and Nancy Penrod, George and Becky Boone, Hank & Debbie Rogers, Steve and Lana Crick, Tom & Katie Hunt & Kathleen Davis, Marcie & Bobby Udall & Ronnie Gibbons. After LaVerl passed- Vanessa Cisco, MaryAnn Brown, Joan Belshe, Tony Savala & Louisa,  

I can truly say that I have learned a valuable lesson from all this- I have learned by example of how to serve and how to 'be there' for people. We have wonderful friends!