LaVerne K Berndt, of Antigo, died Thursday, May 9, 2019, at the Homme Home of Wittenberg, surrounded by her loving family. She was 97 years old. She was born on July 3, 1921, in Phlox, a daughter of the late Frank and Antonette (DeBruin) Pennings. She spent her early years on the family farm in Phlox, her siblings were, sisters, Nellie Williamson, Christine Laskey, Florence Naylor, Ivy Pennings, Evelyn Pennings and a brother, Ralph Pennings.

She attended St. Joseph Catholic Grade School in Phlox and Mattoon High School. In 1938 LaVerne married Harold Bissonette, the couple later divorced.

In 1946 she married George H. Berndt at Peace Lutheran Church in Antigo. Together they raised eight children and all of them had a Christian Education at Peace Lutheran. From 1950 to 1981 there was at least one Berndt child in a Peace School classroom.

In 1959 LaVerne started working at Langlade County Memorial Hospital as a nurses aide. She retired in 1986 after humbly giving 27 years of service to the hospital and the community.

At 69 years of age LaVerne took a position with the Green Thumb Program. She worked for the Langlade County Committee for Aging, and later at the Carnegie Library and the Public Library. She retired for the last time in 2000 at the age of 79. LaVerne loved her family and devoted her life to their happiness and wellbeing.

Survivors include seven daughters, Judy (Richard) Craig, Jane (William) Deacy, Diane (Patrick) Skelly, Georgia (the late Jerry) Carley, Kim (Chris) Ierien, Kyle (Randy) Berger, Kay (Dewey) Chrudimsky; son, Kurt (Brenda) Berndt; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 20 great great-Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband George in 1985; a son-in-law, Jerry Carley in 2017; two grandsons, Jeffery Kolz in 1995 and Bret Carley in 1993; and her siblings.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church with Rev. David Karolus officiating. Burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home and Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Peace Lutheran School, 300 Lincoln St. Antigo, WI 54409 or Homme Home of Wittenberg, 604 S. Webb St. Wittenberg, WI 54499.