Laverna Mae Bell

Laverna Mae Koho-Bell, 91, passed away, Thursday, March 15, 2018, in Fort Collins Colorado, due to natural causes. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orven and Lucille Koho, and her brother's, Phillip E Koho, and William H Koho. She is survived by her sister, Bernice E Koho-Eckhoff, and her children, Barbara A Bell, William P Bell, Jr. and Verna L Bell, her daughter in law, Heather Bell, and 2 grand daughters and 2 great grandsons.

Laverna was born September 11, 1926 in Caldwell (Huston) Idaho, to Orven and Lucille Koho. The family resided in Huston and farmed there, and in 1929, her brother "Gene" was added to the family. In 1932 the family moved to Happy Valley, near Kuna Idaho, where Laverna attended Greenhurst and Happy Valley Elementary schools. Her 1st grade teacher was her 1st cousin, Mona Macy. The family lived in Happy Valley until 1943, during which time they added siblings, Bernice Koho (1936), and Bill Koho (1942).

In 1943, the family moved to Nampa, where they purchased a modest farm, now occupied by the Northwest Nazarene University sports complex. Orven built them a modest 2-bedroom home at that location. Most of the land is now occupied by the NNU sports complex, was sold to NNU in 1959 by Orven & Lucille, to cover medical costs after Orven suffered a stroke. The family retained the 1/2 acre that the home sat on, and the home remained in the family until Lucille's death in 1987.

Laverna attended 2 years of high school in Kuna Idaho at the original Kuna High School, and was excited when her nephew, B.J. Koho, later attended the same school after it had been re-dubbed as Kuna Jr the final 2 years and graduated in 1945 from Nampa High School. She then went to Pocatello Idaho after she graduated, living with her uncle Harold Koho, while she attended telegraphy school, for the Union Pacific Railroad. After she finished telegraphy school, she worked at various locations around the Treasure Valley (Idaho) as a Union Pacific telegraph operator. During that time, she met and later married her late husband, William P Bell, who also worked for the railroad.

In May of 1947, Laverna and Pierce decided to elope, and "ran off" to Winnemucca, Nevada to get married. They did not let Orven and Lucille know until after the deed was done. Orven and Lucille had never even met Pierce until Laverna brought him home and introduced her new husband. While initially flabbergasted, the family quickly grew to love their new son/brother in law.

Pierce was from Wyoming, and shortly after they were married, she and Pierce moved to the Rawlins, WY; which Pierce's brother, Wilbur and sister in law, Doris lived. Laverna and Pierce worked at Sinclair Oil, in Sinclair, WY. After 7 years of Marriage, Laverna and Pierce moved back to Idaho; in which, to give birth to Barbara. They eventually moved to Butte, Montana where Pierce started working for Garrett Trucking and eventually became a truck driver.

Garrett trucking transferred Laverna's family to Denver, CO; in which, their son Bill and youngest

daughter, Verna were born. Laverna hated the big city so her loving husband bought a 10-acre farm in Larimer County just north of Denver (1962-1973). Laverna was very happy there rising her 3 kids, operating the farm, and hosting family/friend reunions. She did this mostly on her own due to her husband was away a lot driving truck in the western region of the USA.

She and her family eventually moved into the city of Fort Collins, CO where she went to work at Colorado State University as a custodian. Her husband quit trucking and went to work for Colorado State University as a delivery driver. Her husband and her became members to the 40-Plus Club (motorcycles). Her husband loved Full-Dress Harleys. Laverna was known as the Hot Biker Mama because she had most of the time popped wheelies with her Yamaha.

She eventually retired after 20 years in the year 1993 {the same year Pierce had passed away). She went to live in Windsor, CO up until 10 months before her death. While in Windsor, Laverna became very involved volunteer at Cornerstone Baptist Church, she was looked upon as one of the original 60 members. The Church was growing in members but she still every week produced Anniversary/birthday cards by making them thru a program called Card Factory. The members loved this even though the cards were signed as: From Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Due to her health, she was put into a 24-hour health care facility in Fort Collins, CO until she was rushed to Poudre Valley Hospital and passed away on March 15, 2018.