LaVerna Laub Bringhurst Johnson, 92, was born on June 23, 1933, in St. George, Utah, to Oliver Leland Laub and Melba Larson Laub. She was the eldest of 13 children. LaVerna died on Dec. 13, 2025, in Hurricane, Utah, with her daughter, Nancy, holding her hand. In typical LaVerna fashion, she had everything ready for her departure and let her kids know that nothing was more important than loving each other.

LaVerna married Norman L. Bringhurst, who became a top-notch Air Force pilot, and together they raised five children, living in numerous states and several years in Japan.  LaVerna and Norman retired to his hometown of Hurricane, Utah, and served a mission in the St. George LDS Temple. Their joy was short lived when LaVerna lost Norman in 1988 due to cancer and found life without her sweetheart very difficult and lonely.

Three years after Norman's passing, LaVerna met and married Dr. Sheldon Johnson who had recently lost his wife, Leatrice, to cancer. Together, LaVerna and Sheldon not only found solace and support with each other, but a shared desire to continue living and building a legacy of love. Their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are the lucky recipients of this priceless gift.

A graduate of Dixie College, LaVerna attended BYU on a scholarship and finished her bachelor's degree at California's Sonoma State University. She was a lifelong learner and taught school at every grade level, including at Dixie College, and particularly loved her elementary school assignments. LaVerna faithfully served her community in various capacities and cherished her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a published poet and loved reading, traveling, reunions on Kolob, and holding family parties full of delicious food and lots of laughter.

LaVerna is survived by her children: David and Merrie; Nancy and Ken Perkins; Kelly and Brenda; Gary and Marcie; and Ken and Kristi. She is blessed with a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren from both sides of the family, who all have fond memories of visiting and being urged by grandma to select a treat or toy from her now famous "Choosing Box." LaVerna loved being grandma and looked forward to the many visits, letters, artwork, phone calls and hugs that came her way.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Metcalf-Bonzo Mortuary, 288 West St. George Boulevard, St. George, Utah. Burial will be in the Hurricane City Cemetery, 255 East 600 North, Hurricane, Utah at noon.

LaVerna's family is grateful to The Haven and Dixie Home Hospice for their loving care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, please consider bringing a new toy to the funeral home to place in their Toys for Tots bin on behalf of LaVerna, who truly loved children.

Live streaming webcast is available by clicking on the broadcast below. Webcast will remain on-line for 90 days.

LaVerna Bringhurst Johnson Funeral Service Program