October 22 1927 October 19 2022
Obituary LaVerne Meier (nee Pechan), age 94, formerly of Woodson Terrace, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. She was born on Saturday, October 22, 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri, one of two children born to Andrew T. Pechan and Rosalyn Pechan (Suda). LaVerne was an entrepreneur and started three successful businesses. In 1959 she started “LaVerne Meier School of Dance” in the basement of her home. She built up her clientele and moved to several locations in the Woodson Terrace area before she sold her business in 1987. She continued to keep dance a major part of her life as she moved to the next stage of her life and started “Fabulous Feet”, which was designed to teach dance to senior citizens over the age of 55. Most of her clients were in the 70–80-year range. This group performed at several nursing homes, various other events and also won a gold medal at the Senior Olympics. LaVerne choreographed the entire show, made all the costumes and of course, was also one of the dancers in the show. She continued this well in to her 80’s. Her entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond dance, and she started “St. Louis Gymnastics, which was the first privately owned gymnastics center in the St. Louis area, and it remains one of the top gymnastics centers today. In addition, she also started “Regency Talent” in 1976, which was a talent show showcasing all types of talent from singing to dancing. She ran this business for 28 years. In her free time, she loved to compete in the Senior Olympics, sew and create crafts. She is survived by her four children, Lyn Meier, Lori Meier, Larry Meier and Leslee (Peachy) Demien; and five grandchildren, Kalie, Nicole, Alex, Nick and Jack. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Rosemary Pechan. She will be missed by her family and friends. Services: Visitation at SHEPARD FUNERAL CHAPEL, 9255 Natural Bridge Road at I-170, St. Louis, Missouri (314-426-6000) on Sunday, October 23 from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass celebrated at Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church, 8860 Tudor Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri on Monday, October 24 at 11:00 a.m. Private burial follows on Tuesday, October 25 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Missouri. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, LaVerne’s family request memorial donations be made in her memory to Alzheimer’s Association, 9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63132. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of LaVerne Meier, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Memorial Donation Upload a Photo Label: * Image: * Gallery: Obituary Photos Upload Gallery Image
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of LaVerne Meier October 22 1927 October 19 2022.
Death notice for the town of: St. Louis, state: Missouri