LaVerne Ernest Silva

       At this time we begin to gather to celebrate the long successful and fulfilled life of our friend, who never knew a stranger, LaVerne Ernest Silva, born January 12, 1935 in Modesto, California until his passing at St Luke's Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho, December 5, 2025 from complications from a fall. 

     LaVerne Ernest Silva was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and to many of you, a cattle buyer. Laverne was the son of Ernest LaVerne and Hazel (Lema) Silva.  He grew up in Modesto, California and followed in his father's footsteps helping run the family dairy.

     He graduated from Oakdale high school in 1953 where he also met the love of his life, Shirley Lerch. They were married July 17, 1955 and continued a long, successful journey with many different businesses in California and Idaho.  LaVerne and Shirley first purchased and ran a medium sized dairy in Oakdale California. Not long after their union along came their first daughter Frankie Anne on September 30, 1956 followed by sister Julie Anne on September 27, 1958 and in 1960 a third daughter Patricia (Patty) Anne on February 20. 1960 was a big year!

     LaVerne became a member and proudly carried the "Gold Card" of a Lifetime Member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.  Along with his Wife Shirley by his side they decided to take on another project by rejuvenating an old livestock auction yard that had sat idle for several years in Riverbank, California.  It was a big success and ranked as one of the oldest in Stanislaus County.  The fact the auction was held on Saturdays, some critical buyers called it "amateur night" bringing out many of the "weekend farmers".  LaVerne ran, bought and sold cattle there until 1974 when he decided to try a new profession and wanted to become a butcher.

     In 1976 they bought a locker plant and ran it successfully for many years and while running it in 1979 an opportunity arose that they were able to purchase a commercial roping arena. It was called "Larson's Arena" in Ceres, California which was one of LaVerne's pride and joys!  He loved roping and ran it for several years. The Oakdale rodeo became the number one rodeo and would generally have 2 to 3 rodeos a year. LaVerne continued roping, buying and selling cattle in the area until 1992 when they decided to move to Idaho where they made their home in Bliss and later moved to Wendell. 

     LaVerne continued to buy and sell cattle throughout the valley from all the livestock auctions from Gooding, Wendell, Shoshone, Twin Falls and even as far away as the Weiser area.  He helped run both Gooding and Shoshone livestock auctions for years. In 2015 when the Shoshone livestock auction closed their doors, LaVerne had a new idea and wanted to start and open a senior center and thrift store in Wendell. So, with LaVerne's persistence, he got a grant and opened the center and continued to run it to this day, which was his final pride and joy!

     LaVerne is survived by his wife, Shirley, daughters Frankie (Danny) Backlund, Turlock, California, and Patty, Wendell, Idaho; Sister Maxine, California; Granddaughter Sara (Adam) Jones, Riverside, California; and great grandchildren, Liam and Scarlet.

     He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest LaVerne and Hazel, and daughter Julie. 

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