LaVerne F. Van Dorselaer

LaVerne F. Van Dorselaer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2025, at her home in Knoxville, Tennessee. To tell the story of LaVerne is to tell a love story. For above all else, her unrelenting love flowed freely and deeply through her family and all those who knew her. LaVerne was preceded in death by her husband Roland “Van” Van Dorselaer her son, Steven Van Dorselaer and her parents Fredrick Donald and Annie Nancy Cottrell. She is survived by her daughter Karen Van Dorselaer; her son Thomas (Traci) Van Dorselaer her son Robert (Vickie) Van Dorselaer; and her son Roy Alan (Diane) Pinkard. LaVerne was the proud grandmother of David (Tracy) Van Dorselaer; Kristin Van Dorselaer; Tom (Ella Johnstone) Hewetson; Matthew Hewetson; Michael Van Dorselaer; Nicholas Price; Connor Pinkard and great-grandchildren Jack Van Dorselaer, Troy Van Dorselaer, Claire Van Dorselaer and Asher Roland Hewetson. Born in Chicago, IL on January 30, 1930, LaVerne was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan. Her family’s move to Knoxville resulted in her passionate support of the Tennessee Vols. Having all four children and four of her grand/great grandchildren attend the University, she rarely missed watching the Vols and Lady Vols play. Also, the warmer climate of Knoxville allowed her to create gorgeous gardens with each successive year bursting with more color than the year before. Her gardens also revealed her whimsical side with gnomes peeking around every corner. LaVerne’s faith was gently woven into the fabric of who she was. She was a strong believer in angels and relied on them throughout her life. She was also the most creative spotter of shapes in the clouds. Her family delighted in her mastery to see these wonderful shapes and will forever look to the skies and be reminded of her. Above all else, LaVerne counted being a wife and mother as her greatest blessings. Her family grew up in a home filled with love, faith and plenty of laughter. When challenges arose, LaVerne was always there a well-timed word and the wisdom and strength that made everything better. And when there were successes, she was the one clapping the loudest and longest. She was the anchor, the mainstay, the touchstone, in short, she was “home.” LaVerne’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Her life will be celebrated on January 30th at 1:30 pm with a mass of Christian burial at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, followed by an internment service at Pleasant Forest Cemetery in Farragut. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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LaVerne F. Van Dorselaer

January 30, 1930 - January 23, 2025