Carla LaVerne Applegarth, 55, of Wever, formerly of Burlington, died at 9:10 a.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at Great River Medical Center at West Burlington.

            Carla was born January 9^th, 1950, the daughter of Fern and LaVerne “Tommy” Thornburg.  She was raised in Danville and graduated from Danville High School in 1968.

            After a former marriage, Carla married her husband, James Applegarth on October 3^rd, 1986 in West Burlington.

            During her 30 years of employment her most memorable jobs were with the Trane Co., as a Dispatcher for the Burlington Police Dept., Home Caring Services and The Battered Womens Shelter and Sexual Assault Center.  Her last three years before retiring she operated her own shop on Main St. in Burlington called The Gift Makers.  Carla designed and sold personalized gift baskets which she had received national recognition by the Gift Basket Industry.

            Carla is of the Baptist faith.  She cherishes her family and friends.  She has many hobbies and special interests and especially enjoyed her grandchildren and caring for Ashton.

            Carla is survived by her husband, Jim of Wever; her daughter, Nicole Yocom and granddaughter, Kelsi Yocom of Burlington; her mother and step father, Fern and Dean Stecker of Mt. Pleasant; her sister, Rosanna Grinstead of Minster, Ohio; her step daughter, Kelly Applegarth of Savage, Minnesota; two step sons, Bruce Applegarth of Belle Plaine, Minnesota and Brian Whipps of Burlington; five step grandchildren; her mother-in-law, Margaret Applegarth of Burlington; brothers-in-law; aunts; uncles; cousins; nieces; and nephews.         

            She was preceded in death by her father; father-in-law, Blaine Applegarth; and nephew, Tony Grinstead.

            Friends may call after 1:00 p.m. today in Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

            The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday in Lunning Chapel with the Rev. John Fetterhoff officiating.  Burial will be in Jaggar Cemetery, rural Danville.

            Memorials have been established for the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault and the Arthritis Foundation for research in the area of Fibromyalgia.