Laverne Carpenter

LaVerne Marcene Carpenter, 93 of Clay Center, died peacefully Thursday, September 19, 2024 at the Leonardville Nursing Home in Leonardville, Kansas. She was born August 17, 1931 in Clay County, Kansas to Josiah and Lavina (McNeal) Reed. LaVerne grew up on a farm south of Clay Center and attended school at Mount Vernon, later graduating high school from Clay Center in 1949. After graduation she worked at Weimers Drug Store. On October 14, 1951, she was united in marriage to Arlen E. Carpenter at the Mizpah United Methodist Church.

The couple farmed together, where LaVerne was a devoted farm wife, often helping drive harvest trucks to the elevator. Arlen and LaVerne were members of the United Methodist Church and the Piotique Promenaders, both of Clay Center, and the Sylvia and Frank Nelson Round Dance Club of Manhattan. They enjoyed traveling and square dancing, and she made all her dresses for dancing.

LaVerne always wore a smile and could be seen around Clay Center cruising in her white Lincoln Towne Car. LaVerne also enjoyed bowling in many leagues, traveling with friends to different tournaments. One of her favorite things to do was support her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all their activities, including traveling to sporting events.

LaVerne is preceded in death by her parents Josiah and Lavina Reed, her husband Arlen, brother Stephen “Ray” Reed,  brother-in-law Fred Case, sister-in-law, Sharon Reed, daughter-in-law Cheryl Carpenter, nephew, Terry Keeler, sister in-law and brother in-law, Iris and Dick Wilson..

Survivors include: son Kelly Carpenter of Clay Center, KS; son Kim (Sandra) Carpenter of Clay Center, KS; son Kevin Carpenter of Wichita, KS; sister-in-law Rose Anne Reed of Clay Center, KS; sister Delores Case of Clay Center, KS; brother Gary Reed of Clay Center, KS and sister Janice (George) Gregory of Clay Center, KS; 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Monday, September 23, 2024 at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, Kansas.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at the United Methodist Church in Clay Center, Kansas.

Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leonardville Nursing Home and can be sent in care of the funeral home.