LaVerna Bertha Esterling, the tenth oldest of twelve children, born to John Peter and Margaret Marie (Tujetsch) Leibel was born on December 12, 1925 at Burke, South Dakota. She died April 26, 2015 at the Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory, South Dakota at the age of 89 years.

LaVerna grew up on the family farm and graduated from Burke High School in 1943. She then attended Southern Normal at Springfield, South Dakota and taught for one year.

LaVerna was then united in marriage to Erwin G. Esterling on February 12, 1944 at the Cathedral in Salt Lake City, Utah. To this union six children were born: James, Gary, Lois, Laura, Thomas and Janet. LaVerna was a charter member of the VFW Auxiliary, serving as President and District President. She served on the Burke Community Memorial Hospital Board of Directors for over 20 years. During the fundraising for the new addition to the hospital, she made homemade noodles for all of the fundraisers. LaVerna was a member of the Catholic Alter Society, CCD instructor and CCD coordinator. She also served as the President of the Hospital Auxiliary and was the coordinator of the United Blood Services for many years.

LaVerna is survived by two daughters: Janet (Doug) Bauld of Burke, SD and Laura Kinniburgh of Green River, WY; two sons: Tom (Nancy) Esterling of Running Water, SD and Gary (Nancy) Esterling of West Dundee, IL; daughter-in-law, Linda Esterling of Lincoln, NE and son-in-law, Cal Vosika of Burke, SD; one sister, Lucille Koenig of Fairfax, SD; 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

LaVerna was preceded in death by her husband, Erwin in 1991; son, James in 1981; daughter, Lois in 2012, son-in-law, Glen Kinniburgh in 1998; her sisters: Viola, Marie and Katherine; and her brothers: George, John, Paul, Dave, Lawrence, Leo and Walter.

Family was very important to LaVerna and she loved spending time with them. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and her extended family.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be a rosary on Thursday at 7:30 PM at the church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to both services at the church.