LaVerne Gossett

Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, LaVerne Marjorie Gossett passed away January 14, 2025 at the age of 93, with her family by her side.

LaVerne was born on October 6, 1931 in Devils Lake, ND. She was the first born of three daughters to Helmer and Alice (Sullivan) Larson. She was raised on the family farm near Starkweather, ND. After graduating high school, LaVerne worked at the Office of Clerk of Courts at Devils Lake County Court House. 

In 1951, LaVerne met the love of her life, Edward Gossett. They had a fast, wonderful, dancing filled courtship and were married on October 22, 1951. Together, they raised four children and celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on October 22, 2024. LaVerne and Ed moved to Bismarck in 1954 where she worked for the Burleigh County District Court for 12 years, 5 of which LaVerne was deputy clerk. In 1973, LaVerne and Ed opened their first Taco Johns restaurant. They went on to open three more locations in Bismarck/Mandan.

While raising their family, LaVerne and Ed enjoyed spending summer weekends camping with their children on Lake Sakakawea and taking yearly camping trip vacations. In 1983 they purchased their first of numerous motor homes and started their many years of traveling the country. They loved visiting the national parks, Medora, Branson MO, Las Vegas and during their travels, spending time with their three daughters and their daughter’s families who lived in Arizona, Colorado and Minnesota. When in Bismarck, they spent a lot of time with their son and his family for holidays, parties and many family dinners.  They also had many friends and neighbors they saw frequently.

LaVerne was a wonderful baker, with delicious pies and banana bread being a couple of her specialties. She enjoyed watching her grandkid’s sporting events and concerts and then in later years the great grandchildren’s events. LaVerne was kind, funny, smart, hard- working and always up for a good time. She loved her family dearly and was the best listener and advice giver when her kids or grandkids needed it. When she couldn’t be with her family in person she kept in touch with many phone conversations.

LaVerne is survived by and will be greatly missed by her husband, Ed; her son, Dale (Cathy) Gossett; her three daughters, Annelle (Gene) Fahlsing, Valerie (Dean) Bondeson, and ReNae Gossett; 11 grandchildren, Todd (Cyrilla) Fahlsing, Kasey (Michael) Vair, Michael (Jill) Gossett, Rachelle (Aaron) Schommer, Jenelle (Paul) Bortke, Jill (Sean) Bowling, Kelly (Kevin) Bates, Tara (Frank) Lara, Justin Gossett, Alisha Gossett, and Ty Lesmann; 22 great grandchildren, Rowan, Samuel, Jay, Kale, Ryan, Haven, Emersyn, Dru, Judson, Tanner, Greyson, Scarlette, Everett, Levi, Blake, Royce, Raya, Ford, Emilee, Hunter, Marcus and Hudson. Two sisters, Theresa (DuWayne) Fike and Carolne Wass. Many nieces and nephews and friends.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents; her mother-in-law, Olga (Zabel) Gossett; father-in-law, Ira Gossett; sister-in-law, Betty Downs; four brothers- in- law, Ivan Downs, Robert Wass, Lyle Gossett and Tom Gossett and great granddaughter, Liliana Star Bowling.

A memorial service for LaVerne will be held on Monday January 20, at 11am at Bismarck Funeral Home, 3723 Lockport Street, Bismarck, ND. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 19th from 5pm to 7pm at Bismarck Funeral Home with a Rosary Service at 7 pm.