LaVerne Elizabeth Oetting, 81, of Hillsboro, MO, formerly of Jonesburg, MO, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 at St. Joseph's Hospital West in Lake St. Louis, MO.

LaVerne Elizabeth Ridder Oetting was born in Augusta, MO, on April 22, 1936 to Walter W. Ridder and Mabel L. Meyer Ridder. In 1957 she received her BS in Elementary Education from Lindenwood University. She taught elementary grades from 1957 until 1962 at Florissant, Ferguson and Hazelwood School Districts. From 1964 through 2013 she operated Cool Valley Boarding Kennels and was a substitute teacher in the Orchard Farms, Warrenton, Wright City and Montgomery City School Districts. From 1989 until 2013 she was coordinator of the EF Foundation for Foreign Study – student exchange program and supervised 117 foreign students from 22 countries. She married Raymond R. Oetting on December 26, 1954 and to this union they had four children: Jeff, Linda, Chris, and Susan. LaVerne was a member of the St. John's United Church of Christ in High Hill, MO, taught Sunday School and Bible School for over 40 years and enjoyed traveling. It was of most importance to be in contact with her family and friends and communication was very important to her. Children and education were always vital to her and also her love of nature and animals.

LaVerne is survived by her children: Jeffrey Ray Oetting and wife, Cheryl, of Jonesburg, MO; Linda Beth Walsh and husband, Joel, of Odessa, MO; Christopher Joe Oetting and Laura Blackard, of Jonesburg, MO; and Susan Louise Oetting of Hawaii; grandchildren: Greg Oetting of Hillsboro, MO; Bryon Oetting and Torre, of Washington, MO; Joelie McCrary and husband, Gabe, of Smithville, MO; and Shawn Walsh and Kyra of Odessa, MO and Annie Walsh of Odessa, MO; great-grandchildren: Laylah Oetting, Jericho McCrary, Cruz McCrary, and Bryon Oetting, Jr.; also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, Walter W. Ridder and Mabel L. Meyer Ridder.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at the St. John's United Church of Christ in High Hill, MO. The Reverend Donald Deeker officiated and interment was in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery near High Hill, MO. Visitation was held from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Thursday at the church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Jude Children's Cancer Research, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO   63361.