LaVerne Dorsey
Wood River |
LaVerne M. Dorsey, 92, passed away at her daughter’s home In Alton, IL on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
She was born November 16, 1932, in Prairietown, IL the daughter of Adrienne M. Rademacher and Gilbert W. Ellis and lived most of her adult life in Wood River, IL.
She was valedictorian of her high school graduating class and went on to complete her registered nursing degree from Saint Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1953. She worked as an industrial registered nurse for 33 years between Laclede Steel and Shell Oil Company and finished her career with four more years in family practice.
She was a lifelong member of Saint Paul Lutheran Church, and a voracious book reader, with a brick in her honor at the public library stating, “one can never have too many books”. She was a passionate sports fan rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team from a young age listening on her transistor radio, and her favorite football team was the Dallas Cowboys. She was a lover of all animals, particularly cats and birds.
LaVerne is survived by her six children, Margaret Foiles (Steve) of East Alton, Kathy Disher (Terry) of Rosewood Heights, Debbie Dorsey (Michael Edwards) of Marietta, GA, Ron Dorsey (Debi) of Mundelein, IL, Samuel J. Dorsey III (Debbie Whitter) of Wood River, and Carol Kohler (Andy) of Alton. She was the proud grandmother of grandsons, Joshua Disher (Niki), Eric Foiles (Lisa), David Foiles, Tim Disher (Annie), Bradley Foiles (Michelle), Drew Kohler, and granddaughter Emilee Niemeier (Dan). She was also blessed with 12 great grandchildren: Jacob and Samantha Disher, Andrew Foiles, Ella, Elijah, Ezra and Emmitt Foiles, Allora and Cambria Foiles, and Reagan, Kinleigh, and Heath Niemeier. She is also survived by her extended family, sister-in-law Mary Ellis of Godfrey, Phyllis and John Walker of Moro, James and Barb Dorsey of Bethalto, and Leon and Jan Dorsey of Greenville. She was an aunt to 22 nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Samuel J. Dorsey II, her brother Charles Ellis, brother and sister-in-law Bruce and Rena Rademacher, and grandson Zachary Disher.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00pm at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Wood River, and Friday, April 4 from 9:00 to 10:00am with the church service starting at 10:00am.
Burial will be in Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto, IL following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Wood River, IL; 5A’s Animal Shelter in Alton, IL; or Partners for Pets in Troy, IL.
Marks Mortuary in Wood River entrusted with arrangements.
Mark's Mortuary
