Laverna R. Rickert, 89, formerly of Columbus, peacefully passed away into the arms of Jesus on August 29, 2023, at Southlake Village Rehabilitation and Care Center, Lincoln, NE.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 2nd, at Christ Lutheran Church in rural Columbus, with the Rev. Aaron Witt officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, September 1st, at Gass Haney Funeral Home, and will continue from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the church. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church, School, Choir, or family's choice. The funeral service will be broadcast live on the Christ Lutheran Church and School - Columbus, Nebraska Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/ChristLutheranColumbusNE?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Laverna Ruth Rickert was born March 6, 1934, on the family farm in Platte County, to Richard and Frieda (Depe) Janssen, the seventh of nine children. She attended St. John's Lutheran Church (LCMS) and grade school where she was baptized and confirmed. She graduated from Kramer High School in 1951. Laverna was employed at Consumer Public Power District prior to her marriage. She was united in marriage to Marvin W. Rickert on September 4, 1953, at St. John's Lutheran Church (LCMS), rural Columbus. They were blessed with 57 years of marriage and three children. Laverna was a homemaker and together they established a farm in rural Leigh until 1986 when they moved to Columbus.

Laverna was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church where she was a member of Ladies Aid-LWML, Growth for Both and other organizations. Her love for music showed as she sang in the church choir and was a member of the Consonaires women's singing group for many years. Other things she enjoyed were traveling, playing cards, flower gardening, and playing competitive horseshoes with Marvin. She was an avid bowler and a Nebraska Volleyball and Football fan. She enjoyed babysitting grandchildren and in later years, attending their music concerts and sporting events. She had a strong Christian faith and was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Family was her greatest joy!

Laverna is survived by 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren:
Son - Richard and Judy (Drinnin) Rickert, Thorton, CO
Grandson – Matthew and Lexie (Scholting) Rickert, Louisville, NE
Great-Grandchildren – Zack and Karsten Rickert
Granddaughter – Jennifer Rickert, Gering, NE
Great-Grandchildren – Kadee and Jimmy Madden
Son – Ronald and Susan (Dudley) Rickert, Lincoln, NE
Grandson – Benjamin and Ashlee (Adkisson) Rickert, Seward, NE
Great-Grandsons – Adam, Ryan, and Cody Rickert
Grandson – Robert and Amanda (Coon) Rickert, Lincoln, NE
Great-Grandsons – Chet and Brooks Rickert
Grandson – Samuel Rickert, Lincoln, NE
Daughter – Sandra (Rickert) and Thomas Wieser, Lincoln, NE
Granddaughter – Kaley (Wieser) and Anthony Reda, Lincoln, NE
Great-Grandchildren – Edison, Theodore, Solomon, and Eleanor Reda
Granddaughter – Kelsey (Wieser) and Darin Lubke, Lincoln, NE
Great-Grandchildren – Maven, Asher, and Amara Lubke
Granddaughter – Kristy Wieser, Fort Worth, TX
Grandson – Kyle and Shae (Alexander) Wieser, Lincoln, NE
Granddaughter – Karly Wieser, Phoenix, AZ
Sister - Shirley Wagner, Columbus, NE
Brother - Kenneth (Betty) Janssen, Springdale, AR
Sister-in-law - Willa Mae Janssen, Arvada, CO
Sister-in-law – Doris Loseke, Cheyenne, WY
Many nieces and nephews.

Laverna is preceded in death by:
Husband – Marvin Rickert in 2010
Parents – Richard and Frieda (Depe) Janssen
Parents-in-law – William and Emma (Grotelueschen) Rickert
Sisters and brothers-in-law - Annette (Lavern) Mohlman, Lucia (Albert) Theilen and Esther
(Milton) Dirks
Brothers and sisters-in-law: Elmer Janssen, Arnold (Norma) Janssen, and Norbert Janssen
Brother-in-law: Paul Wagner
Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law - Clarence (Erma) Rickert, Adolph (Ruth) Rickert, Greeley
(Mary Jane) Rickert, Martin (Irene) Rickert, Viola (Herb) Piper, Vernetta Rickert