LAVERNE ELLEN BARNETT
OCT. 3, 1927 –JUNE 18, 2010
LaVerne Ellen Barnett passed away peacefully at her home June 18, 2010, surrounded by her family following a brief illness.
LaVerne was born in Anacortes October 3, 1927.
She enjoyed a very interesting childhood. In her early years, she and her mother lived in various logging camps around Skagit County, where her mother worked as a cook. LaVerne later moved to Mount Vernon, where she attended a one-room schoolhouse, Meadow Grade School.
When not at school, she enjoyed working and playing on her family’s farm on Hickox Road. Her mother and father, Dean and Ellen Wenner, moved the family to Anacortes, where LaVerne attended Anacortes High School.
In 1944, LaVerne met and married Charles Barnett, a handsome young serviceman from the hills of Arkansas. Charlie’s military career took the family to duty stations across the continental United States and Alaska. During this time, LaVerne and Charlie raised their five children. She thrived in the role of military wife and mother, establishing a stable and loving home wherever the family found itself.
Upon Charlie’s retirement from military service, they resettled in Mount Vernon, and later Burlington.
After their children were grown, LaVerne and Charlie sought new adventures on Camano Island, in Mountain Home, Ark., and La Grande, Ore. While they enjoyed these journeys, they ultimately decided to put down roots closer to family, and moved back to Camano Island, then Burlington.
Over the years, LaVerne worked for JC Penney and several dental offices, retiring from the office of Dr. Tony Hewlett in Stanwood.
LaVerne enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, gardening, painting, and writing. She also enjoyed the opportunity to travel the world, exploring Spain, Portugal, Italy and Morocco. Her favorite excursion was aboard the Mississippi Queen, where she took in the sights along the Mississippi River, including plantations and Civil War battle sites.
LaVerne was also a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she had been active in the choir, and various ladies’ groups.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charlie, in 1990, her mother and father, and her dear aunt, Hilda West.
She is survived by her brother Pete Thompson and his companion Sharon Cargile, her children, Erika Nygard (Larry), Mikky Barnett (Yvonne), Alixie Gorsuch and her companion, Dan Jubie, Monte Barnett (Cheri), Steven Barnett (Sigrid), 14 grandchildren; and 15 greatgrandchildren.
The family would like to thank Hospice of the Northwest and Visiting Angels. We would especially like to thank Dr. Paul Johnson and Anne Kuntz of Hospice of the Northwest for their loving care of LaVerne in her last days. Also, special thanks to her friends and neighbors, Susan, Barbara and Mikey, and David and Linda.
Services will be held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2015 East Blackburn Road, at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 26. A private family burial will be held the same day.
Donations in LaVerne’s memory can be made to Friendship House or youth programs at First Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Arrangements by Gilbertson Funeral Home in Stanwood.
