Verla P. Langbecker

Verla was born on January 19, 1932 to Lester and Pearl Goodspeed in Longview, Washington. She had an older brother, Byron, who preceded her in death. Verla grew up in Kelso, Washington, attended Kelso High School and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Verla met Karl August Langbecker when she was a student at Lower Columbia Junior College. Karl proposed three days after they met but had to wait for three months before Verla accepted his proposal! Verla earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from Whitman College and taught 4th grade at Sunnyside Elementary School in S.E. Portland until starting her family. In addition to providing a nurturing home for her children, Verla kept busy with sewing and craft projects, volunteer work and teaching a 3-year old preschool class at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Verla realized her dream of earning her Masters of Social Work degree in 1980 and joined Karl in private practice as a psychotherapist until her retirement in December, 2004.

Karl and Verla’s love of music and dance led to many enjoyable evenings of ballroom dancing with their friends from Gethsemane. Verla learned to tap dance in her fifties and performed at several events throughout the Northwest. Her family could often be heard laughing and groaning simultaneously after yet another clever pun. She steadfastly looked for the good in all that she met and was happiest when she knew she had helped someone through a difficult time.

Verla lost her husband Karl in 2005 after 53 years of marriage. She is survived by her son Mark and his wife, Diane; Daughter Janet Holboke and her husband, Jon; son Gregg Langbecker and his wife, Natalie Campbell and grandchildren Abby Boatman (husband Brian), Joshua Langbecker, Zoe Langbecker (9), William Holboke (7), Kate Holboke (7) and many nieces and nephews.

Remembrances to Gethsemane Lutheran Church’s roofing fund.