LaVerne Eberhardt Pivonka, 89, went home to be with the Lord on April 16, 2024. She was born September 13, 1934, in the Birch Community of Burleson County, TX, in the home of her grandparents, Frank & Emma Havemann Blinka. LaVerne Esther Emma Eberhardt was baptized on October 21, 1934, at Salem’s E&R Church in the community of Birch and confirmed on November 16, 1947, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Deanville, TX. Her parents preceded her in death: Wilhelm (Willie) and Esther Blinka Eberhardt of Deanville, TX; her beloved husband, Al Pivonka, and a grandson, Christopher Vest.
She was a loving and devoted wife of Albert (Al) H. Pivonka for 65 years, until his death on April 19, 2019. She was the beloved mother of two daughters: Loretta Marie and husband, Rob Supercinski, of College Station, and Diane L. and husband, Jerry Vest, of Spring Branch, TX; two granddaughters; Heather and David Muecke of San Antonio; Danielle and Justin Kalisek of College Station; Great grandchildren: Charles (Charlie) Vest and Jase and Reid Kalisek; two step great grandchildren: William and Adrianna Muecke and Samantha Muecke all of San Antonio; sister Delois Hart of Houston; and one step great-great grandson, Wesley Muecke.
LaVerne was born and raised in the “countryside” of Burleson County, TX. All of her youth was spent in and around Deanville on the family farms. After attending three different elementary schools, she graduated from Caldwell High School class of 1953. After graduation, she went to Houston seeking a better job (other than the cotton & corn patches) where she ended up spending the rest of her life. She worked the first 5 years in the banking industry, then worked part-time in a department store while her children were young and in school so that she would be available to attend their school activities during the day as well as night—like being room mother, working in the PTA, etc. After her children were out of high school, she went back to work full-time at Deluxe Check Printers for the next 20 years, which is where she retired from on October 3, 1994. LaVerne met and learned to enjoy many fellow employees while working as a Sales Secretary at Deluxe – Houston. Deluxe was a great part of her life during those 20 years. She also held different positions on Church Council, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, worked with the Altar Guild, Friendship Club, Alpha & Omega Neighborhood Circle, Elizabeth and Deborah Bible Circles, worked with the InterFaith CarePartners for quite a few years, and helped with LWR quilting. Holy Cross has been her faithful church home since 1965.
Growing up her hobbies were by far – dancing & listening to music; next would have been fishing. She often said that is the only way she made it through working in the cotton patches—knowing come Saturday night she could go dancing. In Houston (while dancing) is where she met, and later married Albert on April 19, 1954. Together they then enjoyed traveling in the states and abroad, with family and friends as well as spending as much time as possible with their children, beloved grandchildren, and great grandchildren later in life. Both Albert and she felt they had truly been blessed during their 65 years of marriage.
Visitation with the family will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2024 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7901 Westview Drive, Houston, Texas 77055. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Jim Berggren, officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079.
Pallbearers: Rob Supercinski, Justin Kalisek, David Muecke, Curtis Gross, Steve Markert, Dwayne Beran
Honorary Pallbearers: Jase Kalisek, Reid Kalisek, Charlie Vest, Jerry Vest, Deluxe Zone Sales Managers & Sales Representatives.
In lieu of flowers, any memorials may be made to the 100 Club of Houston, 5555 San Felipe, Ste. 1750, Houston 77056-9710, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7901 Westview Dr., Houston, TX 77055, or Charity of your choice.
The service will be live streamed through YouTube under HCLC Houston.
Visitation with the family will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2024 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7901 Westview Drive, Houston, Texas 77055. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Jim Berggren, officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079.
