LaVerne Wimer Harris

LaVerne Harris, beloved mother, grandmother, "elder cousin", neighbor and friend, died on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at Christian Healthcare & Rehab, in Nevada. She had enjoyed a full and independent life at her home in Nevada, despite increasing limitations of COPD in her later years. She was unable to recover from recent surgery.

May LaVerne Martin was born Dec. 1, 1924, on a farm near Creighton, Cass County, Mo., daughter of Gifford Hyatt Martin and Della Mae (Stoneking) Martin. She attended elementary schools in Henry and Bates counties. LaVerne moved to Nevada, Mo., in 1937. She graduated from Nevada High School in 1941. She later attended Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich.

LaVerne married Owen Allen Morgan in Nevada on Jan. 14, 1944. Their daughter, Kathleen Mary Morgan, was born in Nevada on Sept. 5, 1945. Owen died on Dec. 23, 1946.

LaVerne married Jack Andrews Wimer in Nevada on Sept. 11, 1947. Their son, Jack William Wimer, was born on Sept. 26, 1953. Mr. Wimer died on June 28, 1988.

On Sept. 12, 2001, she was married to Harold Duane Harris. They spent summers at Harold's cottage in Norvell, Mich., and enjoyed living in Nevada the rest of the year. Harold died on June 13, 2010.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents; stepfathers, Chester Clay Hall and Joseph F. Richardson; favorite Aunt Bessie (Stoneking) Niggley Wynes of Butler, Mo.; and LaVerne's son who died July 30, 1974.

Survivors include her daughter, Kathleen Morgan Artlip, Hunt, Texas; four Harris stepchildren, Kevin Harris, DVM, Haslett, Mich., Bonnie Ulrich, Manitou Beach, Mich., Brenda Lyons, Rochester, N.Y., and Bob Harris, Detroit, Mich.; four grandsons, James Michael Sukach (Kimberly) of San Tan Valley, Ariz., Robert Michael Sukach (Heidi) of Grapevine, Texas, Andrew Michael Sukach, Manor, Texas, and Nicholas Michael Sukach (Graciela) of Kingwood, Texas; five great-grandchildren, James Michael Sukach II and Michael James Sukach of San Tan Valley, Ariz., Xiomara Analisa Sukach of Kingwood, Texas, and stepgreat-granddaughters, Hope and Grace Sukach of Grapevine, Texas.

Also surviving are first-cousins, Waldeane Logan (Lowell) of Butler, Mo., and Pauline (Harold) Lankford, Springfield, Mo. Others cousins include Dr. Russell Logan of Lamar, Sandra Golden of Joplin, Sheri Wheelen of Joplin, Carol Swick of Franklin, Tenn., and Paul Lankford, Republic, Mo. Former sister-in-law and classmate, Margaret Wimer, resides in Jamestown, Calif.

LaVerne was a member of the United Methodist Church of Nevada, LARES Club, Vernon County Historical Society, and Nevada Country Club.

Graveside services will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, July 27, at Newton Burial Park, Nevada, with the Rev. Lester Thornton officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the COPD Foundation (copdfoundation.org) or American Cancer Society in care of Ferry Funeral Home. Friends may call now until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com