LaVerne J (Hoffmeyer) Lasseter

LaVerne Jeanette Lasseter (nee Hoffmeyer) beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, passed away Friday, June 12, 2026, eleven days after her 95th birthday. LaVerne, nicknamed “Shorty” and “Vernie,” was born to Walter and Esther (Schroeder) Hoffmeyer, June 1, 1931 in El Mott, Texas. LaVerne, her older sister Mary Louise (Tootsie} and parents moved to Robinson, Texas, where she grew up loving her family, her German ancestry and her culture. She enjoyed attending school in Robinson where in the early years, she was the leader of the “Rhythm Band” and “Queen of the May.” LaVerne graduated from Waco High School in 1948.

In 1951 LaVerne married Weldon M. Lasseter, her high school sweetheart, at St. John’s Church in Robinson. Several months later she traveled by train from Waco to Providence, Rhode Island, where Weldon was briefly stationed while in the Navy. She boarded a train in Waco, by herself, and traveled to New York City where she changed trains in Grand Central Station. This was a memorable adventure for LaVerne who had never traveled outside of Texas.

After Weldon was separated from the Navy they bought a home in Waco, where they started their family. Three children were born to them during the eight years they resided in Waco, Ronald, Gwenda and Gary. As a young mother, LaVerne used her creative energy to teach her children that learning was fun. She came up with many games and activities, especially on long road trips. She loved reading and made sure her children had library cards and plenty of books to read.

After 8 years Weldon moved his family from Waco to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he attended radar technology school followed by a move to Oklahoma City and then to Abilene, Texas, where Weldon was employed at Dyess AFB. During her 7 years in Abilene LaVerne made lifelong friends, enjoyed entertaining, dancing, boating, fishing and camping. Their next move was to Irving, Texas, where their children graduated from high school and went on to college.

In 1980 Weldon took a job at the Waco Regional Airport and after 29 years LaVerne moved back to Robinson and was happy to live on the farm where she had grown up. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, and sewing. She was an excellent cook and loved to host family and friends frequently. Her banana pudding was the best. She played dominoes, cards, and board games as well as horseshoes, croquet and tennis.

Weldon and LaVerne enjoyed traveling all over Texas and the US until Weldon could no longer travel due to illness. She and her son, Gary, cared for him until his death in 2015.

LaVerne was known for her beautiful smile, generosity and hospitality. She carried her love of family and fun with her until the end of her life. At 95 years of age, she was still playing (and winning) dominoes and cards several times a week. She loved to have her Dr. Pepper and chocolate candy each day. She continued to bring smiles and laughter into the lives of all who were around her.

LaVerne is survived by her 3 children: Ronald Lasseter and his wife Pat, Gwenda Merriott and her husband Jimmy, and Gary Lasseter; her grandchildren, Joshua Merriott and wife Rhiannon, Amy Kaneshiro and husband Jeremy, Rachel Lommel and husband Ryan, Sara Lasseter; and 6 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Weldon M. Lasseter, her parents, Walter and Esther Hoffmeyer and her sister, Mary Louise Makovy.

LaVerne will be greatly missed by friends and family. She leaves behind a legacy of love, joy, creative energy, strength, and hard work to all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A Memorial Visitation will be held for LaVerne on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 11 AM to 1 PM at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Dr., Waco, Texas.

There will be an interment at Chapel Hill Memorial Park announced at a later date.