LaVerna Reitha Malmstrom

LaVerna Malmstrom age 93 of Columbus, died Thursday, July 9, 2026.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 am Friday, July 17 at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus. There will be a 5:00 pm Parish Vigil on Thursday with visitation to follow from 5:45 pm-7 pm., followed by a CDA Rosary at 7:00 pm, all at St. Isidore Church. Visitation continues on Friday morning from 9:30 am until service time at the church. Interment is in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

LaVerna was born August 18, 1932 in Bee, Nebraska to Emil and Rose (Kozisek) Moravec. She began her life on a farm and lived in Oklahoma and Omaha before settling in York Nebraska where she graduated from Saint Joseph high school in 1949. After her graduation she worked at Lincoln Telephone Company in York, NE. She married Robert “Bob” Malmstrom on September 25, 1950 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in York. They lived in Ainsworth for a short time before moving to York. Bob served two years for our country. On his return they moved to Lincoln where LaVerna worked at Bankers’s Life Insurance company while Bob attended UNL. They moved to Illinois and later to Columbus in 1957. They were first members of St Bonaventure Church before moving to St. Isidore’s where they were faithful members since its inception. She served as president of Christian Mothers and also was a member of the Scotus Mothers. She was an EME, lector and sang in the adult choir. LaVerna volunteered at Meals on Wheels, for the CCH Auxiliary and she was a member of the Catholic Daughters since 1962, serving as financial secretary, lector, and vice regent, and on the honor guard for many years.

LaVerna enjoyed cooking, bowling, sewing, golf and dancing. She was the member of the YMCA and Perky Deb‘s Extension Club. She enjoyed watching all activities of her children and grandchildren. Above all she was a devoted, wife, mother, and grandmother. She was proud of her collection of Hummel figurines, and her tea pots from many states in the US.

LaVerna is survived by:

Daughter Robbie (Cris) Nathan of Lincoln

-Grandchildren Josh Nathan, Tim Nathan, and Ben (Gina) Nathan

Son Michael (Diane) Malmstrom of Columbus

-Grandchildren Justin (Emily) Malmstrom, Jordan (Lisa) Malmstrom, and Ashley Malmstrom

Daughter Sharon (Ken) Garretson

-Grandchildren Kelly (Jason) Gaver, Matthew (Cami) Garretson, Kaitlin Prahl, and Travis (Berenice) Garretson

Son Thomas (Special Friend Heather) Malmstrom of Lincoln

-Grandchildren Ian (Sarah) Malmstrom, Aidan Malmstrom, and Axel Malmstrom

Daughter Lynette (John) Lafferty of Gibbon

-Grandchildren Jacob (Jena) Bogus and Hanna Bogus

15 Great Grandchildren

Brother-in-law Darryl Ruhl of Omaha

Many Nieces and Nephews

She is preceded in death by:

Husband Robert “Bob” Malmstrom

Parents Emil and Rose Moravec

Brother Alfred (Nadine) Moravec

Sister Betty Ruhl

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.