LaVerna Frances Kaufman, born July 23, 1931, died peacefully in her home August 13, 2015. She was born on the home farm east of Miltona, she was the eldest of five children
born to Nick and Annie Botzet. She attended Scriven School and then graduated from Central High School in Alexandria.
She met her first husband, Ronald Auran at a dance in Miltona, it was love at first sight. Ronald was in the military when they first met, and LaVerna drove across country to San Diego to be with him. They married and had two children before he was prematurely claimed by cancer at the age of 26. Five years later while working at American Laundry in Alexandria, she met and married her second sweetheart Jim Kaufman. They had two children and lived briefly in Montana, before returning to Alexandria and settled on West Lake Cowdry. They owned and operated Jim’s 24 hour towing service until he resumed his over the road trucking career.
LaVerna’s top priority was always her family, her greatest joy in life was raising her children and being a full time mom and homemaker. She enjoyed crocheting, cooking, baking and hosting all major holidays. She was a true farm girl, enjoying playing in the dirt, working on her flower and vegetable gardens. She also gave her children a solid Christian faith background. She taught her children the value of hard work and being productive citizens. LaVerna was never without a dog. She loved animals dearly and taught her children the same, even teaching her kids to move turtles to safety on roads. Laverna enjoyed her occasional road trip traveling with her mom and sisters and even made a trip to Texas and then drove with her daughter Linda to Mexico.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Nick and Annie Botzet; first husband, Ronnie Auran; second husband, Jim Kaufman; and her infant brother, James Botzet. She is survived by her children, Linda Auran, Curt (Deb) Auran, Dean (Desiree) Kaufman, Lori Rohovsky; grandchildren, Shanon, Ronnie, Tony, Alex, Taylor, Jason and Nic; her great grandchildren; siblings, Marvin Botzet, Harvey (Pat) Botzet and Violetta (Wayne) Luetgers; and good family friends Ralph & Barb Tvrdik. We can also never forget Sami, her beloved dog and constant companion. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Urn bearers will be all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Honorary urn bearers are Ralph and Barb Tvrdik.