Laverne Diederichsen

LaVerne Tennessee Diederichsen, age 83, of Grants Pass, died Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Private services will be held with interment at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to American Lung Association, Oregon Chapter, 7420 SW Bridgeport Road Suite 200, Tigard, Oregon 97224-7711.

LaVerne was born July 31, 1926 in Los Banos, California to Alta Georgia Beaver & James Tipton the 7th child in a family of nine children. Her parents were ranchers, but due to a family tragedy the children were orphaned at a very young age. LaVerne lived in San Francisco during her youth and was raised by her older sister, Lola and they both worked in factories during the war building ship parts. In 1946 she married the love of her life, Robert “Deke” Diederichsen. In 1954 they moved to San Jose and raised their four children, Russell, Linda, Robert Jr. and Scott.

Together they enjoyed camping, fishing, and all outdoor activities including houseboat trips on Lake Shasta and many happy gatherings at a family owned cabin in Yosemite. LaVerne was a gourmet cook who loved to entertain family and friends. She was famous for her spaghetti sauce, potato salad and cheesecakes! Her other hobbies included gardening, jigsaw puzzles, painting bird houses, and bird and squirrel watching.

Survivors include a brother, Bert Tipton of Friant, California; a sister, Pat of Oklahoma; three sons, Russell Diederichsen of New York, Rob Diederichsen Jr. and Scott Diederichsen both of Grants Pass, Oregon; a daughter, Linda Spears of Grants Pass, Oregon; two grandchildren, Robert Diederichsen III and Sabrina Diederichsen both of Hamilton, Ohio; and a large clan of nieces and nephews whom all loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharon Rose; her husband, Robert Sr.; two sisters, Lola and Delores; and four brothers, Bob, Bud, Dick, and Russell