LaVerna Arganbright

LaVerna A. Arganbright, age 84 of Waterville, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center in Blue Rapids. 

She was born on November 7, 1939, in the Waterville Hospital, the daughter of Selon and Ruby (Ruthstrom) Bergsten.  She graduated from Waterville High School in 1957 and went on to Emporia State to earn a bachelor’s degree in education in 1961.

She married Tom Arganbright on May 28, 1961, in Emporia.  He preceded her in death in 2011.

LaVerna taught for one year at Blue Rapids Grade School and continued subbing at both schools for many years.  She was primarily a homemaker, but for several years, she had a part-time job alongside her husband at the bank.  She was very involved in the Waterville community.  LaVerna was a caring lady and active in her church teaching Sunday school and Children’s Bible school.  She belonged to the Lutheran Church Ladies Aid, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, American Legion Auxiliary and for many years was a girl scout leader.  LaVerna and Tom sponsored a student from Norway, Eli Boe, for a school year and she had a strong interest in genealogy, tracking down her family ancestor’s as well as Tom’s.  She loved playing bridge with her friends.

She is survived by her three children, Carolyn (Francis) Arganbright of Waterville, James (Jie) Arganbright of Mesa, Arizona, and Jennifer Arganbright of Denver, Colorado; her daughter-in-law, Corinne Arganbright (late John) of Waterville; one sister, Selene (Jerry) Yungeberg of Waterville; one brother, Konrad Bergsten of Blue Rapids; six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Rita Allen in 2018 and her son, John Arganbright in 2022.

Viewing will be from noon to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2024, with visitation between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. at the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the St. Mark Lutheran Church in Waterville with Pastor Jacob Schmitz officiating.  The musicians will be Beverly Hedke, Francis Arganbright and Kim Oatney.  Pallbearers are Thad Arganbright, Craig Arganbright, Toby Arganbright, Treg Arganbright, Ben Arganbright and Allen Yungeberg.  Honorary pallbearers are Francis Arganbright, Jim Arganbright, Jerry Yungeberg, Konrad Bergsten, and Laurent Cardon.  Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery.

A memorial may be made to the St. Mark Lutheran Church and left in care of the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home, PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.